News flash... if you're in the market for a sweet living situation, then go ahead and clean out the change drawer and snap up this creampuff post haste. Mark my words, Victoria Park is THE place to be. If it weren't, would I be killing myself to grab a spot in there? More land is being cleared around the golf course, and the views from some of the premium lots are nothing short of serene.

Speaking of choice properties, take a tour through this home and you'll see the best of the Estate section of Bent Oaks. Immaculate inside and out, and priced to sell by a motivated owner who has bought another home.

A few months back I was working with a rather bizarre buyer who turned out to have champagne taste and beer money. During our brief interaction, we toured this rather antiseptic offering. The home was so clean it felt vacuum-packed. The property is meticulously landscaped, and has 5 private acres in a very upscale part of DeLand. The owners also own the five acres adjacent to the home. All told, quite overpriced... but if squeaky clean and secluded is your thing, then spring for the extra fifty grand or so and call this baby "home."

I am so utterly sick and tired of this guy, and Spring Training has yet to begin. How much do these idiots think the average fan will pay for a ticket? It's as if Major League Baseball has no idea that there are many things competing for our entertainment dollar.

Like, for instance, GOLF!!!! Pop-pop and I played Rock Springs Ridge today... and I couldn't have made a putt if the green was a funnel. A pulled tee shot on one, and eighty blows later I'd had quite enough. Shouldn't have given up on my dream. So I'm a little stout. What, Clydesdales aren't fast?

Quite the fiasco has commenced regarding the land I've listed in DeLeon Springs. More to follow, but the confluence of events is bordering on laughable.

Tomorrow, early. SSSSEEEEEEEE YAAAAA

Posted by: Paul @ 11:00 PM

Correction, er rather an update on the Baumgartner-Bennett project slated for the Orange Camp corridor story written a couple of days previous. After talking with Troy Baumgartner, I learned that the plan is for a few more than the dozen building sites previously reported. How many more is yet to be determined, but suffice to say that living in this community will be, to quote our favorite diva/felon, "a good thing."

Nice birthday, nothing major. Played a tennis match with the DeLand Country Club 3.5 team. The best of all worlds, as my transaction coordinator is also my doubles partner. Ryan Hardy is 19 years old and already a licensed REALTOR with a decent amount of business intuition. He could be a bit more assertive but right now he's terrified of making a mistake. Hey, it's not a perfect business... mistakes are how you learn. Anyway, we rolled 6-3, 6-2 in just over an hour. My father-in-law is in town. He and I share a birthday, and yesterday I gave him a belly putter. No, it's not some sort of... er, I'm not going there, girlfriend. It's an extra long putter for those who need a different look at the ball. He tried it out and loved it, as well as putted great with it. So we are going to the lovely Rock Springs Ridge tomorrow for a relaxing round of golf before he heads back to balmy Bawlmer, MD.

It's a bit late to surmise about the goings-on in today's market. I will be hard at work for a short while tomorrow, and an indepth review of events during the past 24 hours + will be forthcoming.

Hasta la vista, babies!

Posted by: Paul @ 1:09 AM

Hey, one more thing... when looking at some of my links (i.e. those that connect you with viewable portions of the MLS) to return to this site, just double click the "Back" button.

Alright, quite tired...must go to sleep.

Posted by: Paul @ 12:24 AM

Here are three of my picks for "Deal of the Day." New to the market and priced rather well, this home is on a nice 1/2 acre lot and has some intriguing features... like an inground pool, vaulted ceilings in the LR, and a fireplace. Should be gone soon, my guess is for around 97-98% of asking price.

This next one is in a great neighborhood called Bent Oaks. I showed this home a while back, and perceived value then. It has since been reduced approximately $10k in asking price, and still no sale. Somewhere in the $190s should take this creampuff.

Finally, the sleeper of the bunch. The home is a throwaway, as the pool is larger than the entire floorplan. But the acreage, ah...the acreage! Over 4.5 level acres just seconds from Arvida and I-4, and on a paved road. Perfect spot for a serious estate. I think the land is worth almost $140k, but the house is a real eyesore. They're dreaming right now, but may start to take those offers for $150-175k more seriously now that the property has been out there for a while.

Well, goodnight for now. The wife is safely tucked away and incubating our impending firstborn, and I am officially 37 year old as of fifteen minutes ago! Get me something nice, like a buyer for some of my listings.

tootles 'til later

Posted by: Paul @ 12:20 AM

I have exciting info regarding the south DeLand corridor. Recently, the firm of Baumgartner-Bennett (a commercial outfit in the heart of DeLand) conveyed 13.25 of the prettiest acres in Central Florida to an Orlando builder. The plan is to offer a dozen or so exclusive homesite packages with rolling elevations and great access to I-4. A word to the "well to do" wise... this is going to be THE exclusive community in the area. Act sooner rather than later, as there are at least 3-4 pre-sold situations in the works.

I got a pocket listing today in Westminster Woods subdivision. It's quite a toney, tree-lined and elegant enclave. The owner has given me the opportunity to market and attempt to sell the property over the next few months, without formally listing it. He'll sign papers in the fall, but will deal with someone who wants to pay his price now. It's very nice, an early '90s build with almost 3000 square under air and a two-car detached to go along with a two-car attached garage. The lot is almost an acre, and is very private with almost no maintenance. Four beds, soaring ceilings, and neutral colors as well as a double-sided fireplace in the living area are but a few of the amenities that this home offers. He would take $400k now, which may be a bit ambitious. But in six months or so, it's probably market value.

Our office has a couple of homes available in Westminster right now. This shack is under contract, but it has a 72-hour kickout clause, which means a qualified buyer with no contingencies can boot the other party if they cannot remove the Sale of Other Real Property contingency in the Contract for Purchase. Tons of room, great entertainment home, and at less than $100/square foot, it's a value. Perhaps a hearty brick home with a pool is more to your liking. Same 'hood, lower price, 4 beds and 3 baths with a pool.

Here's the initial printout for my new listing in Country Club Estates. Some pix to follow tomorrow.

I'll keep the updates coming. Until then...

Posted by: Paul @ 11:19 PM

Couple of decent values just popped on the radar, i.e. the MLS, or For Sale By Owner (to which I am adamantly opposed, for reasons better left unstated... but I digress.) This cute starter/retirement home is on a decent lot, in a fab locale. May be a bit ambitious, price-wise, but it is well-maintained and has a killer brand-new outbuilding that is great for boat or RV storage.

You want space, convenience, and a home that is the gold standard for the term "move-in condition?" This beauty on Orange Camp has 4 levels of living, an extra 2-car garage, and over 2 acres of ground. The inside of this split level is stunning. A couple of buyers have contracted the property, only to find that their hearts were writing checks that their incomes couldn't keep. At under $100/sq. Ft., this is the exclusive homesite buy in South DeLand at the moment.

Rates are steady and LOOOOOOWWW! In this area, the average days on market is well under 45. No doubt this burgeoning interest is in no small part the attractive product being offered at Arvida's Victoria Park. Everything is done first-class, from the site plan to the community accoutrements and a breathtaking golf course.

It's late, and I'm waxing philosophic for no apparent reason. Want to chat about all things real estate? I can be reached directly at (386) 848-PAUL. To end the suspense, the numbers for "PAUL" are 7285. Hey, it was hard work getting that number. I bet you will remember it... and use it often

Posted by: Paul @ 2:00 AM