If you watch home-and-garden cable channels, it looks like everyone is flipping houses. i.e. buying a piece of real estate, making minor repairs, and quickly selling it at a substantially higher price.  Basic investing 101: Buy low, sell high.

Certainly sounds appealing–and you may be tempted to join the ranks of those who have been successful in this field.  Be forewarned, however, that like most money-making endeavors, real estate flipping requires time, money, patience and skill.

For tips on how to begin, steps to follow, and advice on how to avoid pitfalls, read on…

Do your research and be knowledgeable well in advance:

• Talk to (and learn from) successful flippers, read up on the subject, follow real estate deals in the newspaper, use the Internet as a teaching resource, attend open houses and auctions.

• Identify possible house locations, size, and style.  Educate yourself on how to recognize promising properties and how to spot a lemon.

• Familiarize yourself with current prices, taxes, utility rates, HOA fees, municipal and restrictions in each area you are considering.   Study your market. Get to know it as well as you possibly can. Understand the trends, the kinds of houses, the neighborhoods, the streets

• Visit the potential homes and neighborhoods in person.  Talk to residents, Realtors, and repair companies who are familiar with the area.

Set up a budget, a time line, and financing:

• Figure out how much money you have (or can put your hands on using investors) without borrowing

• Calculate the cost of repairs, taxes, utilities, materials, contractor/labor expenses, and the like.  Professional contractors advise flippers to add an extra 10% to their repair estimate.  Also, to be on the safe side, make sure that you’ll be able to hold on to the home as a rental property for a while, if need be.

• Experts suggest factoring in the flip time into your budget and your potential profit before you purchase the home. According to investors, a successful flip is one that makes you around a 15% profit.

Be prepared:

• When you find the right house, you must act quickly to buy it.

• Have appraisers, agents, contractors, skilled laborers lined up so they can start work immediately upon your purchase.  Remember, in flipping houses, time is money!

• Be ready to make quick decisions, devote a great deal of time (and possibly sweat equity) to this project, and face unexpected expenses.

Two major caveats:  Be patient and don’t get greedy!

Information courtesy of Orlando Realtor Teri Isner, Orlando Avenue Top Team.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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In August, the number of properties that received a foreclosure filing in Orlando, FL was 42% higher than the previous month and 52% higher than the same time last year, according to RealtyTrac.com.

Orlando Foreclosure Geographical Comparison

Orlando foreclosures were 0.28% above national statistics, 0.12% above state figures, and 0.01% below Orange County numbers in August 2014.

Orlando Foreclosure Status Distribution

The current distribution of foreclosures based on the number of active foreclosure homes in Orlando, FL.

Pre-foreclosures accounted for 21.9% of the foreclosure activity in August,  Auctions were 41.6%, and Bank-owned properties were 36.4%.

Orlando FL Foreclosure Activity by Month

In August, the number of bank-owned properties increased 77.5% from the previous month and 58.8% from the previous year. The number of auctions increased 4.1% from the previous month and rose 46.5% from the previous year. Pre-foreclosure activity increased 120.7% from the previous month and 50.0% from the previous year.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home shopping website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Come and Ignite the Night at The Spark Run!

The Spark Run is the ultimate nighttime 5k run/walk. It is a high-energy family friendly event featuring an interactive environment full of light and sound providing a sensory voyage like no other.

Participants are encouraged to “Ignite the Night” with glow sticks, LED’s and outrageous costumes. The Spark Run celebrates fun, health, originality and giving back to the community.

The Spark Run in Orlando starts at 8:00 pm but come early and enjoy the food and festivities at the pre-run plaza, which opens at 6:00 pm. There will be face painting and plenty of glow gear and merchandise available. Don’t forget to stay for the ultimate after-party featuring a performance by Kaskade from 9:30-11pm.

Check out the course map illustrating just a few of the sensational zones each runner will experience as you make your way through the course.

Information courtesy of Teri Isner, Orlando Avenue Top Team, Orlando Florida Realtors.

Teri Isner

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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In today’s economy, many potential purchasers don’t have extra cash available for repairs and updates and are looking for move-in ready houses.  It makes sense, therefore, in order to attract serious buyers and add value to your home, that you consider the following relatively inexpensive and non-time-consuming improvements:

Interior updates:

• If you can’t replace the water heater with a tankless model, wrap the one you have in fireproof insulation.
• Install modern light switches and outlets throughout your home.  Add dimmer switches.
• Insulate windows.  (Easy-to-follow instructions.)
• In bathrooms replace dated towel racks, light fixtures, sinks, toilet seats, and hardware.  Purchase a low flow toilet.  Re-grout where needed.  If the floor is in poor shape, consider putting easy-to-install vinyl tiles right over the old one.
• Add crown moldings, wood trim, and/or cornices to give room a look of quality.
• Update your kitchen inexpensively by replacing fixtures, faucets, and hardware.  Consider pendant lighting.  Refinish cabinets rather than replacing them.
• Clean and organize all closets.  For helpful free and/or inexpensive designs created for your particular needs, visit Closet Maid.

Exterior improvements:

• Keep shrubs and trees neatly pruned.  Plant new trees for energy savings and aesthetic value.
• Add low-voltage lighting for pathways
• Pay attention to the front door.  Does it need new weather stripping?  A fresh coat of paint? Updated (or at least polished) hardware—knockers, knobs, hinges, and light fixtures?
• Spend $10 to test your lawn for needed nutrients.
• Attend to the garage door.  Use a mixture of one part bleach to three parts water and a soft-bristled brush to give it a thorough cleaning.  Still dirty or stained?  Rent a power washer for about $60.
• Check for faded or peeling paint.  Sand and apply a fresh coat.

Real estate gurus will tell you that the wisest updates you can make are in the kitchen and the bathroom.  (Not only are these rooms of high importance to buyers, those updates will add the most value and give you a good return on your money.)  Check BankRate.com and DIYnetwork.com for suggestions and good advice on the benefits of more ambitious projects for these areas of your home.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Artlando, a celebration of Orlando’s arts & culture, takes place Saturday Sept 27, 11:00am – 11:pm will include live performances by Orlando Ballet, Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Orlando Shakes, Central Florida Community Arts, Orlando Fringe, Phantasmagoria and many more. There will also be a fine visual artists art show, beer and cocktails by The Hammered Lamb, food by The Food Truck Bazaar and chalk street paintings. Artlando is sponsored by Orlando Weekly and Stella Artois.

Artlando After Dark starts at 6pm and will feature performances by Phantasmagoria, Ibex Puppetry, Orlando Ballet and Orlando Fringe Presents: Professor Soap’s Music Machine.

Information provided by Orlando Realtor Teri Isner, Orlando Avenue Top Team.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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While the number of for sale by owner transactions is on the decline, approximately 9 percent of sellers decide to go it alone and forego outside help from a Realtor®. Typically those that go this route have extenuating circumstances, such as already having a relationship with the buyer (which happened in 40 percent of recent FSBO sales, according to National Association of Realtors® data). However, NAR’s 2013 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers shows that most sellers benefit from the outside help of a knowledgeable advocate when selling their home. Aside from being experts in the field, Realtors® have the time, know the market and needs of the potential buyers, bring an objective and fresh perspective to the seller, understand the complexity of all of the processes involved, and have the ability to attract qualified buyers.  It’s because of these reasons that sellers using a Realtor® tend to get more for their homes, according to NAR’s report.

Let’s look at how many sellers sold their homes with a Realtor in August.

Orange County Real Estate Sales Statistics – August 2014

Orange County saw 88 fewer homes sold in August 2014 than August 2013, a 5 percent decrease. The average sales price increased by 1.5 percent and the median sales price increased by 4.8 percent from August 2013.  Market times increased by 8 days or 15 percent.

Osceola County Real Estate Sales Statistics – August 2014

Osceola County home sales decreased 88 homes, a 14 percent decrease. Prices increased with the average sales price up 9.1 percent and the median price increased by 8.4 percent.  Market Times increased by 5 days compared to August 2013.

Seminole County Real Estate Sales Statistics – August 2014

Seminole County residential sales decreased by 3.6 percent with 26 more homes sold in August 2013. The average sales price increased 4.3 percent and the median price increased by 9.3 percent. Market times increased by 4 days or 7.6 percent.

Lake County Real Estate Sales Statistics – August 2014

Residential sales in Lake County increased with 36 additional homes sold, a 7.2 percent increase. The average sales price increased by 9.9 percent, and the median sales price increased by 12 percent for the month compared to August 2013.  Market times increased by 7 days or 8.1 percent.

Polk County Real Estate Sales Statistics – August 2014

Polk County saw 37 additional homes sold in August 2014 compared to August 2013, a 4.8 percent increase.  The average sales price increased by less than 1 percent, and the median sales price increased by 9.2 percent.  Market times dropped 1 day compared to August 2013.

It’s still a great time to get your best price on an Orlando home.

Teri Isner

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Welcome to your up-to-the-minute Sept 2014 edition of Market Snapshot for Windermere Florida compliments of Teri Isner.  This report is personalized with charts including market activity for homes in the 34786 zip code.  Let’s take a look.

Windermere Real Estate, Windermere Florida Real Estate http://www.orlandoavenue.com Windermere FL Real Estate. Find Great Deals on Windermere Real Estate. See Windermere FL statistics and Real Estate in Windermere Florida.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

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Welcome to your up-to-the-minute Sept 2014 edition of Market Snapshot for Kissimmee Florida compliments of Teri Isner.  This report is personalized with charts including market activity for homes in the 34741 zip code.  Let’s take a look.

Kissimmee Real Estate, Kissimmee Florida Real Estate http://www.orlandoavenue.com Kissimmee FL Real Estate. Find Great Deals on Kissimmee Real Estate. See Kissimmee FL statistics and Real Estate in Kissimmee Florida.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!

Welcome to your up-to-the-minute Sept 2014 edition of market snapshot for Celebration Florida compliments of Teri Isner.  This report is personalized with charts including market activity for single family homes in the 34747 zip code.  Let’s take a look.

Celebration Real Estate, Celebration Florida Real Estate http://www.orlandoavenue.com Celebration FL Real Estate. Find Great Deals on Celebration Real Estate see Celebration FL statistics and Real Estate in Celebration Florida.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!

Established 1997, Earthdance is now the largest, global synchronized dance event in history. Today there are over 500 locations in 80 countries participating worldwide. They are united with a common vision for peace and humanitarian aims through Earthdance International 501(c)(3).

Today, there are hundreds of Earthdance locations in sixty countries participating. For this one weekend of September 21, 2014, all around the globe, people join together to dance as one global community, united with a common vision for peace and humanitarian aims. Every event across the globe recites a Prayer for Peace at the same moment – morning in the Australian rainforest, afternoon in California, dusk in Florida, midnight in London, and sunrise over the Himalayas. The Prayer for Peace is a profound moment that unites our intentions for World Peace. Earthdance Florida’s prayer for peace occurs on Saturday evening at 7 p.m.

Maddox Ranch in Lakeland, Florida has been hosting Earthdance Florida since 2011.  This year Earthdance is partnering with the Lakeland Salvation Army to help raise money for homeless families in the area.

Earthdance Florida runs from September 18 through Sept 21. Visit the website for the lineup of bands, dancers, workshops, prayers for peace and so much more!

Information provided by Teri Isner, Orlando Avenue Top Team.

Access Teri’s one-stop Orlando FL home search website.

Teri Isner is the team leader of Orlando Avenue Top Team and has been a Realtor for over 24 years. Teri has distinguished herself as a leader in the Orlando FL real estate market. Teri assists buyers looking for Orlando FL real estate for sale and aggressively markets Orlando FL homes for sale.

You deserve professional real estate service! You obtain the best results with Teri Isner plus you benefit from her marketing skills, experience and ability to network with other REALTORS®. Your job gets done pleasantly and efficiently.  You are able to make important decisions easily with fast, accurate information from Teri. The Orlando Avenue Top Team handles the details and follow-up that are important to the success of your transaction.

Get Orlando Daily News delivered to your inbox! Subscribe here!