Real Estate Update

jeannene edwards asked:




Demographics matter! Statistics have shown us that in North America alone there are approximately 85 million, (yes, MILLION), Baby Boomers! By sheer number alone, they have become a force to be reckoned with. They are telling you what they are looking for in a home, but are you listening?

As a licensed interior designer in Orlando, Florida, I often work with clients who are wanting to build a new home, remodel the home they’re presently living in, or look for an existing home to buy. One of the very first things we do is sit down together to determine their design goals, and identify any special needs they may have which would need to be addressed in the initial planning stages of the project. Their job is to communicate their needs . . . my job is to listen. And what I’m hearing from my fellow Baby Boomer clientele, (those born between 1946 to 1966) is consistent. Very simply, they do not want to be put in a situation where they are forced to move out of their home because it is not an age-free environment.

Functionality and flexibility of the home is one of the primary concerns of this generation. Boomers are forward thinking when it comes to making design decisions based not only on what their immediate needs are, but in determining what their future needs might be as well. Here are some of the things they are looking for in a home . . .



wider hallways and doorways which could be wheel chair accessible if necessary

open living space and furniture lay-out which would allow them to move about more freely

easy “accessibility”, particularly at entrances and bathrooms

barrier-free bathrooms and kitchens equipped with the comfort height fixtures

excellent lighting throughout

easily rampable steps if necessary

levered handles instead of knobs for doors which will suit all users

roll out shelves for all base cabinetry in both kitchens and baths

one-floor plans, or in-home elevators which are fast becoming “must haves” for ease and accessibility in multi leveled homes – a feature to improve the quality of living at any age

flex areas such as home offices, media centers and workout areas, designed to support the varied demands and daily activities of this generation . . . who are technology minded, health conscious, retired, semi retired “Un-retireds”!

The definition of “HOME” for many of us is no longer merely the place where we house our belongings. It has become the headquarters for our lives! It is a refuge where we want to bring touches of the outside in, and vice versa. Many of us want to blend technology, the internet and wireless communications with the comfort and tranquility of a simpler, slower paced, more graceful moment in time . . . and call this HOME. It’s about having choices. With a collective voice the Baby Boomer generation is finding new ways for us to design spaces to fit not only their lifestyle, but meet the challenges of the changing stages of their life as well. We need to listen!

Wayne Hemrick asked:




Fix and flip real estate, commonly known as flipping houses, is an increasingly popular trend in the real estate sector. The reason is rehabbing properties can be a potential source for income if you know the right way to do it.  It is not an easy process but learning a little more about house flipping might just be the motivation you need to try it out yourself.

House flipping refers to process of buying up real estate and quickly reselling it at a higher price a few weeks or a few months later. The technique is to find foreclosed homes or properties which are under-priced and whose values can be marked up after some work and renovations. Fix and flip real estate can normally be found at lower prices because of factors such as a divorce, the owner was laid off, or a death occurred in the household.

There are actually two common methods to flipping houses. The first involves purchasing a home and then reselling it at a profit without ever occupying the property. The other method of rehabbing properties is buying a property, renovating it and then reselling it for a profit.

Those new to rehabbing properties should be mindful of the work flipping houses involves. It starts with researching prices in the local markets to find foreclosed homes. Search for properties which need repair done.  Try to develop a rapport with real estate agents who can let you in on any properties like this right away. Serious flippers even do direct-mail campaigns or place advertisements in local papers or on billboards.

Real estate investors can see huge profits from fix and flip real estate.  There are several important factors to take into account, especially in setting the selling price. The common rule most people follow is a six percent realtor commission if you plan to sell the property through an agent. But if you can find foreclosed homes and sell it yourself, the better. It is also smart to consider any repair costs, time and labor you put into the process.

Property flippers look for foreclosed properties first. The banks who own them are often very interested in getting whatever they can for these homes.  

Understanding the real estate market is crucial. You must be aware of what local home buyers are shopping for and then trying to find foreclosed homes they want. The best property flippers are the one who have buyers before they even purchase a property.