The cost of home renting vs. owning in Florida

rent-vs-buy

LOS ANGELES – July 19, 2016 – Personal finance website GOBankingRates.com released a guide detailing how monthly rent compares to monthly mortgage payments across the U.S.

To see the price breakdown for all U.S. states, visit the GOBankingRates website.

The bottom line: It’s cheaper to own a home than it is to rent one in 42 states, with renting more affordable in only eight states and the District of Columbia.

According to GOBankingRates.com, the average savings enjoyed by homeowners in Florida is $398 per month. In its five-stage ranking system – a lot more to own, a little more to own, about the same, a little more to rent and a lot more to rent – Florida is one of 24 states in the “a lot more to rent” category.

“The good news is mortgage rates are near historic lows,” says Kristen Bonner, lead researcher on the study. “Unfortunately, Americans are still running into road blocks with being able to save enough money to afford a downpayment, and are therefore forced to rent.”

The study compared median rent prices for single-family homes against the median list price of homes in each state. GOBankingRates assumed a 20 percent downpayment for the median list price and applied a 30-year fixed-rate loan term. It also included the cost of property taxes and insurance.

Top 10 places where owning is cheaper than renting

  • New York: $1,635
  • Massachusetts: $559
  • Illinois: $522
  • New Jersey: $472
  • Pennsylvania: $461
  • Florida: $398
  • Maine: $396
  • Ohio: $375
  • Alaska: $334
  • Rhode Island: $334

FREE and Paid Property Listings Websites

Here are some website you can post your properties to or search for deals at. Most are free, but some like eBay you’ll have to pay for. Enjoy!

However, if you want to get your house sold fast in Central Florida and more specifically in Orlando, FL area visit www.AnyHouseSOLD.com and/or contact me.

1. www.base.google.com
2. www.realestate.msn.com
3. www.ebay.com
4. www.realestate.aol.com
5. www.craigslist.org
6. www.zillow.com
7. www.trulia.com
8. www.kijiji.com
9. www.olx.com
10. www.oodle.com
11. www.livedeal.com
12. www.domesticsale.com
13. www.edgeio.com
14. www.househunt.com
15. www.homesalez.com
16. www.isoldmyhouse.com
17. www.Forsalebyownercenter.com
18. www.propbot.com
19. www.Fsbosellbuy.com
20. www.homes-for-sale-by-owner.info
21. www.fastrealestate.net
22. www.homesbylender.com
23. www.hometoursonline.net
24. www.homeportfoliojunction.com
25. www.mlshub.com
26. www.forsaleownerhomes.com
27. www.allthelistings.com
28. www.actualhomes.com
29. www.realtymadeeasy.com
30. www.fsbogorilla.com
31. www.homeclassifieds.com
32. www.wantedtosell.com
33. www.theyellowsign.com
34. www.fsboads.com
35. www.forsalebyowners.com
36. www.listingofhomes.com
37. www.home-for-sale.com
38. www.fsbo.net
39. www.nwrealestate.biz
40. www.ushx.com
41. www.homesellnetwork.com
42. www.tourmeonline.com
43. www.fsboi.net
44. www.talkingproperties.com
45. www.shopdreamhouse.com
46. www.allstatesfsbo.com
47. www.ownerswillcarry.com
48. www.byowners365.net
49. www.neorealestate.com
50. www.homesforsalebyowner.com
51. www.homes85.com
52. www.helpussell.com
53. www.virtualfsbo.com
54. www.owners.com
55. www.realestate.yahoo.com
56. www.usatoday.com
57. www.backpage.com
58. www.fsbocom.foreclosure.com
59. www.forsalebyowner.com
60. www.homesbyowner.com
61. www.buyowner.com
62. www.fsbo.com
63. www.militarybyowner.com
64. www.intlistings.com
65. www.byowner.com
66. www.forsale.byowner.com
67. www.fsboadvertisingservice.com
68. www.totalrealestatesolutions.com
69. www.fsboamerica.org
70. www.fsbolocal.com
71. www.salebyowner.com
72. www.listbyowneronmls.com
73. www.usapropertyadvertiser.com
74. www.fromhomeowner.com
75. www.fsbozone.com
76. www.postyourpad.com
77. www.propertysites.com
78. www.salesbyownerrealty.com
79. www.mhbo.com
80. www.sellhomeshere.com
81. www.owner.com
82. www.realestatemate.com
83. www.fsbo-bc.com
84. www.homes4salebyownernetwork.com
85. www.privatesalerealty.com
86. www.sellyourhomeyourself.com
87. www.fsbon.com
88. www.privateforsale.com
89. www.fsbosites.com
90. www.repus.net
91. www.fraserhomes.parkwest.com
92. www.sellitbyowner.com
93. www.reachbuyers.com
94. www.weblistings.com
95. www.houses4sale-online.com/index.htm
96. www.findgreatrealty.com
97. www.homeseekerz.ccom
98. www.thehomelist.com
99. www.fsbodepoe.com
100. www.usfreeads.com
101. www.realestateshows.com
102. www.properazzi.com
103. www.propsmart.com
104. www.walmart.oodle.com

 

Special verbage for a notary to get a signature notarized

Do you need to prepare a document that needs to be notarized? Well, here is a little blurb you can add for the notrary, so that they can quickly and easily notarize your signature. I’ve used in in Florida.

 

___________________________          ___________________________

                                                                                    Seal

State of _______________________

County of _____________________

 

        I Hereby Certify that on this day, before me, an officer duly authorized in the State  aforesaid to  take acknowledgments, personally appeared_________________________________________________________ 

to me known as the person(s) described in and who executed the foregoing instrument and Acknowledged before me that he/she executed the same.

            Witness my hand and official seal in the county and State last aforesaid this _____day of      ________________ ,20 _____ A. D.,

                                                                                                _____________________________

                                                                                                Notary Public

                                                                                                My commission expires__________

 

 

Alex Galitsky – Real Estate Agent Award

Alex Galitsky Selected For “Select Orlando Real Estate Agents

 alex galitsky awards

Alex Galitsky of Top Orlando Realty, has been honored with a recognition by Orlando Magazine in its selection of Orlando Select Real Estate Agents.”

PR NewsWire– Announcing a special recognition appearing in the  Orlando Magazine published by Abarta MediaAlex Galitsky was selected for the following honor:

Orlando Select Real Estate Agents

Alex Galitsky commented on the recognition: “This is quite an honor for me. The fact that Orlando Magazine included me in its selection of Orlando Select Real Estate Agents,” signals that my constant effort to deliver excellent work has paid off. It is gratifying to be recognized in this way.”

Following the publication of Alex Galitsky‘s selection for Orlando Magazine‘s  Orlando Select Real Estate Agents list, American Registry seconded the honor and added Alex Galitsky to the “Registry of Business Excellence™”.

For more information on Alex Galitsky, please call 407-284-1213.

 

 

FSBOs (For Sale By Owner) – stand very small chance of selling

Only 9 percent of today’s sellers are FSBO sellers, and among those who chose the FSBO route, 40 percent knew the buyer who bought their home. Among those who did not previously know the buyer of the home, 18 percent of those were contacted directly by the buyer to purchase the home. Taking these factors into account, the FSBO market of sellers who sold their home without knowing the buyer, and those who were not directly contacted by a buyer, is significantly smaller. FSBOs typically have a lower median selling price, though FSBOs typically received 98 percent of their asking price. Those who first tried to sell their home as a FSBO, but ultimately sold via an agent, were the youngest of all sellers and had the highest median household incomes. Every home seller must eventually decide whether to hire a REALTOR® or to sell the home on their own. But even after they decide to go solo, FSBOs can still be convinced to use a REALTOR®’s expertise.


Most Important Reason for Selling Home as FSBO

  • Did not want to pay commission fee: 46%
  • Sold it to a relative / friend / neighbor: 24%
  • Buyers contacted seller directly: 12%
  • Did not want to deal with an agent: 11%
  • Agent was unable to sell home: 4%
  • Could not find agent to handle transaction: 2%
  • Seller has a real estate license: 1%
  • Other: * less than 1%

Source: 2013 Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, (National Association of REALTORS® – Research, 2013).

How to easily find school zoning in Orange and Seminole County Florida

Ever wondered what school a house you are looking to buy or rent REALLY belongs to? Don’t rely on search portals which provide you with easy information because many times it can be outdated. Verify it for yourself. Updated 5/15/2018

Seminole County Florida School Lookup By Address

Orange County Florida School Lookup By Address

No more looking at cumbersome zoning maps. Just type in the address and you get all 3 schools. Elementary, Middle, and High!

Why so many Realtors leave that blank? I think the positives of customers being able to easily search for property by school district outweighs the possibility of zoning change while the property is listed.

I always include school zones in my listings and I found that it helps with greater exposure which in turn results in a higher sale price for my clients.

2015 Year End for Orlando housing market Report and 2016 Outook

The year ended on a positive note. A 15 percent increase in annual sales and a 9 percent increase in median price. Prices are definitely moving up at a good rate.

Orlando housing chart

The median price of all existing homes combined sold in December 2015 — $185,000 — is a 9.47 percent increase from the $169,000 median price recorded in December 2014, and a 0.54 percent increase compared to November 2015.

Each individual county’s monthly sales comparisons are as follows:

  • Lake: 5.54 percent below December 2014;
  • Orange: 1.61 percent below December 2014;
  • Osceola: 11.91 percent below December 2014; and
  • Seminole: 15.69 percent above December 2014.

Each county’s 2015 year-end sales comparisons are as follows:

  • Lake: 8.93 percent above 2014;
  • Orange: 15.58 percent above 2014;
  • Osceola: 10.19 percent above 2014; and
  • Seminole: 14.69 percent above 2014.

Overall, things are looking up for Real Estate in 2016 and considering the turmoil in the world with elections, oil crisis, stock market volatility, real estate is looking even better as an investment.

How to file Homestead Exception and Save on Property Taxes in Cenral Florida

red house money flying

If you just moved to Florida, you may not know about Homestead exemption and how it can save you money on taxes.

What is a Homestead Exemption in Florida?

Homestead Exemption is a tax reduction allowable to homeowners who make their property their permanent residence. If approved, this exemption could reduce the taxable value of your residence by up to $50,000. The first $25,000 of this exemption applies to all taxing authorities. The second $25,000 of exemption excludes School Board taxes and applies to properties with assessed values between $50,000 and $75,000. As a result, the homeowner would enjoy a substantial savings on the taxes levied on their property by the various taxing authorities.

How to file homestead exemption in Florida by County:

The deadline for filing Homestead Exemption is March 1st. Owner is responsible for filing on time and filing can be done online, in person, or via mail. I prefer to do it online because its quick and secure.

The deadline to file is Mar. 1

Orange County:

  • File Online – It’s Safe, Secure and Easy! In order to file on-line, you must have received a Homestead Letter from our office with your individually assigned User-Login and Password. You should receive this packet approximately 4 to 6 weeks following your real estate closing. If you misplaced it, you can request another one.
  • File by Mail/Fax – Download and file.
  • File in Person – Orange County has Satellite Offices which open Jan.11, 2016 and close Feb, 20, 2016? They are located conveniently across Orange County. Click here to see which location is near your home or workplace.

Seminole County Florida:

 

 

IRS Extends Review Time for Non-Resident Tax Returns

house tax
The Internal Revenue Service has extended its hold on certain tax refunds for returns filed by nonresident aliens and other foreign taxpayers on Form 1040NR beyond the usual 180-day limit in order to give extra scrutiny to the refund claims, leaving many undocumented immigrant workers waiting up to 360 days to get the tax refunds they filed this year

The delays may also affect non-resident owners of US rental property where withholding has been applied by their management company or booking agent on rental income received on their behalf. The agents generally provide Form 1042-S to the owner – the form states the amount of rental income received and any withholding applied.  This form must then accompany the non-resident tax return to the IRS for processing any refund.  The IRS claims that they need additional time to review these credits “due to the complexity of some of these refund claims” and that taxpayers will be notified if additional time is needed.

To minimize any potential delay, provide your management company or booking agent with your ITIN by completing and submitting Form W-8ECI.  By completing this form the non-resident owner establishes that they are not a U.S. person, that they are the beneficial owner of the income and that the income is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business in the United States.  With this form on file your agent is not required to withhold 30% of rental income.

Reprinted with permission. For further information visitwww.hbitax.com