Real Estate Market

Environmentally friendly features have become more important to home buyers according to the 2012 Home Buyer and Seller Profile published by the National Association of Realtors. The importance of various features such as heating and cooling, energy efficient appliances and lighting, landscaping, and an environmentally friendly community differ by region.

·  Commuting costs and environmental efficiency have increasingly factored into home buying decisions due to higher energy costs, but also due to overall concern for the environment.

·  Factors that are most important to buyers are those directly related to the buyers’ pocketbook.

·  Heating and cooling costs were at least “somewhat” important to 87 percent of home buyers.

·  Commuting costs were at least “somewhat” important to 73 percent of home buyers.

Now take a look at how the Orlando market performed in 2011.  

Orange County Real Estate Sales Statistics - 2011  

Orange County saw 906 less homes sold in 2011 than 2010, a 5 percent decrease. The average sales price increased by 6 percent and the median sales price increased by 5% from 2010.  Market times increased by 14 days or 14 percent.  

Osceola County Real Estate Sales Statistics - 2011

Osceola County homes saw home sales increase by 46 homes, a 1 percent increase. Prices increased with the average sales price down 2 percent. The median price down 2 percent.  Market Times increased by 16 days or 16 percent.

Seminole County Real Estate Sales Statistics - 2011

Seminole County residential sales increased by 4 percent with 218 more homes sold in 2011. The averages sales decreased 1 percent while the median sales price decreased by 1 percent compared to 2010 levels. Market times increased by 13 days or 13 percent.

Lake County Real Estate Sales Statistics - 2011  

Residential sales in Lake County increased with 120 more homes sold for a 3 percent increase. The average sales price decreased by 8 percent, and the median sales price decreased by 8 percent during the same time period.  Market times increased by 15 days.

Polk County Real Estate Sales Statistics - 2011  

Polk County saw 322 fewer homes sold, a 4 percent decrease.  The average sales price decreased by 15 percent,and the median sales price decreased by 5 percent.  Market times increased by 13 days or 13 percent.

Now is the time to get your best price on an Orlando home, before the prices move upward. 

This Month In Real Estate

New Year's is a time when many people commit to starting fresh or developing some positive changes in their lives. As you consider what you will change in 2012, think about where you spend the majority of your time. Your surroundings can greatly influence your mood and actions, and a refreshed interior can help you step forward into a new and improved lifestyle. Enjoying life more in 2012 could start with just a few simple updates to your home.

Color
Home decor trends are constantly evolving, and one of the most obvious aspects of changing style is color. An easy, cost-effective way to instantly modernize your home is to update your walls to a posh hue. Try a shade from Pratt & Lambert's 2012 Color Trends palette, which features a broad range of colors to fit any style. After tracing the development of today's styles back to their origins, the brand's Color + Design team released the 2012 trends forecast. Titled "Trace," this forecast features five palettes: Essence, Instinctive, Enough, Echo and Expressive. From shimmering ethereal shades, to rich earth tones, to bright vibrant hues, Pratt & Lambert's 2012 Trends provide the hottest color options to update every room in the home. Use these colors as inspiration for other decorating elements as well to create a cohesive, modern atmosphere.

Accents
Whether your taste is classic and elegant, natural and rustic, or clean and modern, accessories have a huge impact on the feel of any room. Mirrors, wall hangings, table art, pillows and floral arrangements are just some examples of accents that can completely change the look and feel of a space. Don't be afraid to combine materials and styles, either. An ornate brass mirror can work well to complement the clean lines of a modern end table or the intricate fabric of an antique footstool. Avoid clutter as you add visual accessories by using baskets, chests and other storage pieces to conceal magazines, books and other common items.

Rearrange
Replacing your current furniture may not be in your budget, but don't underestimate the effect rearranging your current pieces can have on your space. Simply changing the layout of a room costs nothing and can have a dramatic impact on the functionality and atmosphere of your home. Place larger furniture pieces against the wall to open up floor space and avoid blocking walking paths. Or, you might arrange your sofa or elongated pieces of furniture at an angle in the corner of the room to give the illusion of a longer wall and also instantly create hidden storage opportunities. This update is as temporary as you want it to be, so don't be afraid to try something new. You might even rearrange every few months to keep things fresh throughout the year.

Lighting
To instantly give your space a new look, consider changing the lighting. Whether it's a large hanging fixture, wall sconces, standing lamps or recessed can lights, adjusting your current lighting will have a significant effect on the ambience of any room. A mixture of light sources works best for most spaces, and a visit to a local lighting store will confirm the options are endless. While many lights will serve functional purposes, others may serve as pure decoration to highlight an aspect of the room, such as a piece of artwork. And, like furniture, remember that simply adjusting the locations of table and floor lamps can have a dramatic impact your room's feel.

Bring your home into the new year in style and update your color, accents, layout and lighting to start fresh in 2012. By focusing on a few key areas, you can enjoy an improved living space easily and affordably. (ARA)

It might be coincidental that the new year and the beginning of tax season arrive so close together. Many people resolve to be wiser with their money in the new year, and it just so happens that being smart about your taxes is a good way to get started.

Whether it's your only resolution or just one of a few, sticking to your new year's tax resolutions throughout the whole year is the trick to being successful. And just like taking losing weight during the year will have you in better shape for the future, following your financial resolutions can make tax time far easier next year.

Use these tips to help build a successful approach to your tax resolution.

Bothersome as taxes can seem, if you prepare for them throughout the year, you might find the experience far easier the next time you have to file. For more ideas about a financially sound new year, visit blog.equifax.com.

• Get started now. Procrastination can be your downfall - it often happens that the longer you put something off, the more daunting a task it seems. And the last thing anyone needs is an excuse to be more overwhelmed by the thought of working on taxes. If you know that you struggle with preparing your return, make the call to a professional who can help you. But again, don't wait - tax preparers' appointment books fill up fast during tax season.
• Set up a filing system - and stick to it. The flurry of paperwork is stressful enough when you're doing your taxes - not being able to find a necessary slip of paper only makes it worse. Create files for receipts and other documents and be sure to keep them updated. If you want to go digital, use a scanner to file everything neatly away in specialized folders on your computer.
• Take advantage of tax-saving benefits offered by your employer. If they're available to you, consider how much smarter it is to use pre-tax dollars for things like medical expenses and child care. If you need more guidance about how to best take advantage of the offered programs, check with your human resources department, or your own tax preparer or financial planner.
• Promise to give yourself a tax check-up twice a year. Don't let yourself be shocked when tax time rolls around - the psychological and financial stress of being unprepared for a big tax bill can take a major toll. Do yourself a favor by checking on your tax liability a couple of times through the year. If you need to make adjustments to your withholding, do so as quickly as you can. Even if you find that nothing needs to be changed, you'll have something to smile about and one less worry to occupy your mind.
• Make it a habit to save. Putting extra money away is always a good habit, whether the intent for it is to help pay off tax bills or to purchase a new vehicle. Giving yourself a little extra cushion to fall back on doesn't have to make you feel fiscally stressed, though. Put away $20 here and there, or have a percentage of your paycheck sent directly to a savings account, and you'll be excited by how much you have at the turning of the next new year. (ARA)

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