Totally Florida Plus has scourced a developer building 3 bed 2 bath turnkey homes only 45 minutes from Orlando for only $137,000 including the land. These homes are positive cashflow with very small deposits and are in one of the only appreciationg areas of central Florida.

These represent great value, please contact us for more details. More info will be added to this site over the next few days.

Totally Florida Plus is pleased to report that the South Florida Real Estate Expo in Miami this past weekend (27th & 28th) was a success. With several thousand visitors looking for properties in Florida and the Dominican Republic and Belize as well as Disney area vacation condos

Dont forget, if you are in South Florida this weekend to check out te South Florida Real Estate Expo at the Sheraton Miami Mart Hotel 711 NW 72 Avenue Miami, FL 33126 Phone:
(305) 261-3800.

Florida and worldwide Investement and Vacation property. We will be there on stand 602 if you want to stop by and say hello.

Totally Florida Plus can report that the largest growth in purchases of Israeli real estate by Diaspora Jews in 2006 was neither French nor Americans, but apparently the unassuming British. An amendment to British pension laws has the potential for much greater investment, and possibly not just from British Jews.

Many contractors, apartment owners, and brokers in Netanya, Herzliya Pituah, Tel Aviv, and Eilat have been well aware of the British invasion in the past two years, but it turns out that a dramatic change in UK law may expand the mandate, and give Israeli developers real opportunities to offer their wares to British citizens who are not Jews.

In an interview with "Globes", Adv. Raymond N. Goodman of the Liverpool firm Goodman's Solicitors said that the UK Finance Act 2006, which came into effect on April 6, 2006, allows British citizens to use their Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPP) to buy a wide range of properties throughout the world. The Finance Act grants generous tax breaks and exemptions, and allows people putting money into pensions to manage their savings through authorized pension providers who provide the investment framework around the world.

Potential investment is allowed both in residential and income-producing property in Israel and other countries, subject to a number of conditions. That said, anyone dreaming of wholesale purchases of Israeli holiday homes by British buyers is fantasizing, since the tax break is not given for properties bought for personal use, but only for properties bought as investments. Currently, a tax break of up to 100% is given on annual profits of up to 215,000 pounds.

The Desert Pearl project in Hurghada Egypt is about 50% sold in the 2 months its been on sale. The people who had the foresight to jump right in have enjoyed pre construction pricing and first choice in positions and outlooks. All good things come to an end and prices are going up on February 1st 2007. Prices are expected to go up 12%. Still great value compared to many other exotic locations.

If you have been toying with the idea of buying at Desert Pearl, get in quick, you have about a week left to take advantage of the pre construction pricing.

www.desertpearlsales.com or www.totallyflorida.com/egypt

LONDON - Location, location, location. Almost anywhere else, the tiny dilapidated studio wouldn't attract much more than mice. But this is London and the 77-square-foot former storage room - slightly bigger than a prison cell and without electricity - is going for $335,000.


A coffin-sized shower is en suite, and storage is provided by a shallow closet and 10-inch-deep shelves cut into the wall. Two hot plates and a small sink make up the kitchen. Two dirty windows allow light to filter into the basement room, and the fire escape could conceivably double as a shared patio.

With no electricity or heating, Scott said it would cost an additional $59,000 to make the room habitable.

"It is an investment," he said, as he stretched his arms the width of the room, laying his palms flat on opposite sides of the wall.

Executive 4 bed 4 1/2 bath home complete with huge bonus/ theater or extra bedroom and study. 4600 sq ft. Dream kitchen features top of the range stainless steel appliances with granite counter tops and walk in pantry. Wood flooring in family room and extensive tiling throughout. 1 year old.

Hurghada Egypt Success spurs new project. Sunset Pearl at Sahl Hasheesh.

Record breaking sales at Desert Pearl in Hurghada Egypt have surprised everyone. So much so that the same developer is about to launch their new project "Sunset Pearl" in Sahl Hasheesh which is very close to Hurghada in Egypt on the Red Sea.

Totally Florida Plus is once again privy to inside news on the launch of this exciting project and can offer its clients and Investors pre launch pricing and the best positions. Egypt and the Red Sea area continues to boom with people wanting amazing value for money and Incredible beaches etc. 30,000 people visit the Red Sea a month for the diving alone. More info available soon at http://www.sunsetpearl.com/ or at www.totallyflorida.com/egpyt

Totally Florida Plus has just been given the go ahead to start marketing an exciting new project in the popular Bahai area of Brazil. Bahia Pearl will be an incredible beach front resort with all the usual amenities including golf, fitness, spas's etc. With over a mile of golden beaches, this promises to be a winner with Buyers and Investors from all over the world.

Lot prices from only $25,000

Buyers have 3 years to build and completed homes are expected to be in the low $200's

We are forming an Interest list now, if you want to be one of the very first in on a real ground floor opportunity, get in touch now.

Jeffery's Bar, located at 7533 W Sand lake Rd.

Formerly Anaelle &Hugo and before that Thai Passion. Unfortunately this Bar/ restaurant does not stand out from the crowd. Opening night on Saturday was lukewarm and uninspiring, a bit like their 2 male bar tenders. The new owners have spent money on this place for sure, but the bar needs to be redesigned or this place will fall by the wayside as their predecessors have. There is no bar menu and the staff did not know how to make a French Martini, but on the positive side, the Steaks looked appetizing and waiters were attentive and plentiful. Live music and appealing booths are not going to be enough to keep the locals happy. Conventioneers will probably find this a decent eatery but it lacks the buzz of Seasons and the class of Capital Grill. I wanted to like this place but in the end we had a couple of drinks and went elsewhere to eat.

Totally Florida Plus comes to Scotland

Our main Scottish agents are holding a property show at Hampden Park in Glasgow on February 3rd and 4th We will be there to lend our support on exciting projects like Desert Pearl in Hurghada Egypt and the Legacy Grand condo projects in Orlando.

For more info, drop us a line. homes@totallyflorida.com

It is often said that the UK and Florida are divided by a common language. One of the ways this shows itself is the house buying process in the two countries. In the UK, in order to check out all the properties on the market, it is necessary to visit all the estate agents in your chosen area, and then sift through the newspapers and the web. In the UK, although real estate agents market properties, it is normal practice to be shown around a property by the sellers, who are usually the current owners.

In Florida all listed resale properties in an area are entered onto a computerized database (the multiple listing system or MLS), and the property details are available to all Realtors (Estate Agents), who subscribe to the MLS.

Under Florida law, anyone who advertises buys or sells real estate must be licensed (agent) by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), although unfortunately there are still unlicensed persons operating. Many British English, Scottish, Welsh, and Irish buyers use agents in the UK - many of these are not licensed which means you will have no right of redress under Florida law. All licensed agents must conform to a code of practice established by FREC, as well as a code of ethics.

Quite a lot of the troubleshooting work we are commissioned to do is as a result of selection of an unlicensed or inexperienced Agent, indeed this area of work is second only to customers who have not used any agent but carried out the work themselves.

The 9th Annual Moonlight and Martini Party is being held at the Expo Center Downtown on Friday February 2nd between 8pm to 1am.

Sample signature Martinis from 25 of central Florida best restaurants, bars and hotels. Then vote on Orlando's best Martini.

Live and silent auction to benifit Arnold Palmer Medical Center Foundation.

$35 in advance or $50 on the door. Open bars, plenty of gourmet hor's d oeures, live music and dancing

For more info got to www.sosocial.com or call Scott Bender on 407 260 5200

Book your limo early and we'll see you there.

A week after signing David Beckham, perhaps the world's most famous soccer player, the Los Angeles Galaxy turned to the unknown on Wednesday announcing the MLS team would hold open trials.

On January 27th and 28th, the South Florida Real Estate Expo is taking place in Miami at the Sheraton Miami Mart Hotel. Over 200 Exhibitors including ourselves Totally Florida Plus will be exhibiting Vacation and Investment property from not only Florida , but other exotic destinations like the Dominican Republic, Belize, Costa Rica, and even further afield places like Cabarete in the Dominican Republic is great value at present. Condos across from the beach starting at just $110,000.

Of Course, the Disney area of Orlando remains a firm favorite with Investors and we will be showcasing the Legacy Grand project near Disney where a Condo can be bought for only $129,000. The developer is also offering a 2 year Leaseback.

Come and visit us, Totally Florida Plus on stand 602 at the South Florida Real Estate Expo
on January 27th and 28th.

If you would like free tickets, we have some. just drop us a line at homes@totallyflorida.com

Which steps lead up to making an offer?

Before you make an offer on a property it is imperative that you are provided with some highly important facts:

1. The amount of time the specific property has been on the market
2. The exact sale price of similar properties that have recently sold
3. A comparative price analysis - to help you determine true value.

As soon as you have determined an offer price you are quite comfortable with, your agent should write it up using a standard contract form. The offer should include all contingencies that you want to include (subject to mortgage, house inspection etc.) It is very important that all the points you have specified are included - as if the offer is accepted and signed by the seller, the contract is legally binding.

If the owner rejects the contract, he may make a counter-offer by changing some of the terms in the contract - including your offer price, All changes made to the printed contract form must be initialed by all parties and changes instigated by a buyer must be sent to the seller. The contract document can go back and forth a few times until agreement is reached.

A deposit has to accompany the offer - this is placed with a neutral third party, called an 'escrow agent', it is usual for the contract to specify a further deposit a few days afterwards if the contract is accepted.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions!

Below is an amusing sneak preview of Rochelle Morton's new book about Florida and some of the characters here. The parties, the deals it's all in there. It is said that some of the Vacation Home Industry's major players are cringing as they have heard of their impending inclusion. Below is an exert from one of the chapters about UK visitors to Florida.

The Real Place in the Sun.

Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Tourist.

Known for its fabulous climate Florida has become the number one destination for British holiday makers. For many, it's a trip of a lifetime but as most parents want to take the kids to Disney and at almost 2 dollars to a pound they keep on coming. Most Brits fly to Orlando (or Sanford ) if they are on a cheapie, then pick up their rental car and immediately become lost on the 417 and try to pay the road tolls with travelers cheques because no one thought to bring cash.

When they finally arrive at their rental home in Kissimmee or Davenport, its 11pm and they wish they had forked out the extra 11 quid for a welcome package as now they have no food or drink and no idea where to go to get any. So they go to bed and get up 3 hours later because jet lag has kicked in and the kids are running around wanting to be fed, see Mickey and go in the pool all at the same time.

Typically, dad will go off to Publix supermarket which will be about a five minute drive once he manages to find his way out of the community he is staying on. Once inside he searches for English items for which he will pay 3 times the price and when he gets to the checkout he will remove one traveler's cheque from his bum bag and pay for his goodies. He will get lost in the community on the way back and not remember the number of the house he is staying in only that its "834756 Lilly pot lane" or something flowery.

Eventually he'll get home and hand it all over to the wife. He'll jump in the pool and get straight out again as its bloody freezing and wish again, that he had paid for pool heat. After feeding the kids and having a row they will set off to Disney. All this and it's only 7.30am. British tourists are not known for their style, Trinny and Susanna could have a field day if they spent half and hour on International Drive They are so easy to pick out too. An archetypal family will consist of Dave and Sandra, the kids, Carly and Darren who, as the day goes on will be referred to as little bleeders and er mum Renee.

Typical outfits will be shorts for dad, a football shirt and socks and sandals, until he gets his new trainers at the Nike outlet. Mum will wear legging type shorts, a long tee shirt to cover her bum and belly and flip flops from Marks. The kids will be decked out in summer wear from George at Asda. And poor old mum will wear the same clothes as she does when she sits in the garden at home having a fag.

They will walk along I-drive like ducks in a row, dad first then mum, closely followed by little bleeders who will be carrying lilos and rubber rings. Er mum will be in a wheelchair as they were told by a neighbor's son's cousin who went to Florida last year that you can get to the front of any queue if someone is handicapped. All will be sporting that delightful milk bottle colour so popular with people that only see the sun 2 weeks of the year, of course, later on that day; these same people will be exhibiting a wonderful tomato red shade and wishing they had used factor 40 sunscreen instead of factor 4.

A typical 2 week holiday for most Brits is to go to the Disney one day, have a day off by the pool the next. Then do another park the next day and so on. Rarely do they venture far from their rental home. Of course, the Outlets will beckon and the Florida Mall on Orange Blossom Trail is a must. But as for driving to any of the beaches like Coco or Clearwater, not too many bother with that. They love to hit the "all you can eat" buffets like Sizzler and Ponderosa, the Chinese buffets are on high on the list too, but at $7.95 for all you can eat, how good can it be?

But the kids will have fun and they will all have gleaming new trainers to take back and loads of stuff from Wal mart that they can't get in their case, so they have to buy another one. All in all, a great time, despite the fact that it's only on their last day that they got to know their way around and dad worked out that you can turn right on a red light if its clear and stopped all those cars honking and swearing at him, as he sat there confidently waiting for green. It's roughly on their last day that they realise that Tipping is not a town in China, but so what, they're leaving today.

If they have enough time after checking out of their rental home, they may wind up a few Realtors, That some friends , cousins uncle told them that if they pretended they wanted to buy a house there, they might get a free lunch, but at the very least they would get beer and a drive round some other community's. Hey, they even knew someone who had got a free trip to Florida just by pretending he was a prospective home buyer. Could it get any better?

Copyright Rochelle Morton

Ginn Resorts announced the purchase of Ocean Hammock Resort, adjacent to Ginn Hammock Beach in Palm Coast, Fla. The purchase includes the AAA Four-Diamond Award-winning Lodge at Ocean Hammock and the Ocean Hammock Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus-designed Signature course. The seller was Centex Destination Properties.

Avid golfers are being attracted to Florida's Gulf coast every year for golfing breaks and returning to purchase golf course properties.

Sunshine year-round and very mild winters, combined with a great diversity of courses and an incredible value for money are all playing their part in the increasing popularity of these types of properties in Florida.

No other destination in the US is as popular as Florida right now for the American baby boom generation who are increasingly thinking of retirement. The result is booming communities and developments with highly competitive prices in many popular areas such as Orlando, Naples, and Sarasota whose property values are climbing an average of 35% a year. This rapid growth can be compared to the recent growth the Mediterranean Real Estate market has experienced over the past decade, however, the Florida boom is just beginning.

A home or condo overlooking a beautifully layed out golf course can be the ideal retreat for the avid golfer and their families. Florida leads all other states in the US with over 620 courses; with California being far behind with around 220 courses. Best of all, the green fees are usually very competitive with great weather year-round at both private and public courses.

It's useful to keep in mind that Venice and Naples offer two very attractive resort developments that offer a wide range of facilities and amenities that have the added bonus of an on-site rental office if you are interested in maximizing your rental income when your property is not in use.

It's very important to remember that when buying property in Florida, you should allow 2% of the total purchase price for closing costs if you don't require an American mortgage; 5% if you do require one.

Florida law requires that a buyer be provided with a full list of all costs prior to signing the HUD statement. These statements can often arrive a day or so before closing from the closing agent, which can become very frustrating for buyers.

Fees may include the following:

1. Termite Report - VERY important in Florida - Approximately $50
2. House Inspection - This report covers the condition of the house and equipment in it - ie air conditioning, irrigation system etc - Approximately $300
3. Land survey - This deals with the plans and layout of the property. - it may be necessary to verify property boundaries. It may be possible to obtain an updated document from the surveyor who carried out the previous survey.
4. Legal fees - The cost of these services will depend if you just use a Title Company (Most Americans buying in Florida do) or a local attorney or overseas lawyer. The services of a lawyer in the UK can be considerably higher than a Florida attorney specialising in property. Most experts agree that when buying a property in Florida you should employ the services of an experienced local Attorney.
5. Insurance premiums - These will depend on how extensive a policy you require - are you in a flood zone? These are paid a year in advance in Florida.
6. Government recording fees - for the transfer of ownership and mortgage to be recorded at the county courthouse.
7. Property tax - Paid a year in arrears in Florida - depend entirely on the property. Florida discounts the bill by various percentages if the bill is paid ahead of the final payment date .
8. Mortgage fees - These should be estimated by the mortgage company via a "good faith estimate". If you obtain a mortgage the costs will total around three per cent of the mortgage sum, which may include the following:- mortgage application fee; credit report fee; appraisal fee; lender's legal fees; lender's title insurance fee; loan origination fee; loan discount fees (referred to as points you are basically paying in advance for a discount for the mortgage); document preparation and documentary stamps.

As you can see, there are many fees & charges that go along with the purchase of property in the state of Florida. Make sure to take these into account when drawing up a budget in order to make your closing go much smoother!

Top 10 most important points you will need to consider when deciding on a property management company.

So, you've purchased a great property in Florida? Now one of the most important decisions you will have to make following the purchase is deciding which management company to use. There are many options out there, but for your own peace of mind you need to find a reputable company who will look after your property while you are hundreds; maybe thousands of miles away.

1. How Experienced is the Company? Setting up a rental company is one of the most favoured routes to obtaining a visa to immigrate to America. Some new companies are well motivated and provide excellent service to build their reputation, others at the very least dont have a clue how to operate a business and its only a matter of time before they run into financial problems, often with your funds!
2. Keep in regular contact with the Management company. Ownership can change quickly without warning.
3. Be aware. If a real estate company directly operates a management company service there may be a number of points worth considering. Some companies work on the principle of free flights and accommodation for clients on inspection trips, whose property will they stay in free of charge when over? Some Companies are interested in selling properties at high commission rates and then selling their overpriced and expensive management services - a double whammy! Beware putting all your eggs into one basket.
4. Checkout the performance of companies. With independent reports such as the yearly one carried out in publications like Florida Homes and Travel who do a comprehensive survey of villa owners in Florida.
5. What Type of rental are you looking for? Long term rentals (ltr) are usually for a 12 month period. You do not need to furnish the property for this form of rental but this means you cannot use the property yourself between lets, unless you like a minimalist furnishing style!. The management company you select only needs to find you a tenant and you could use a local sercice company to carry out ongoing maintenance. For short term rentals (str) you will need a much more hands on management company with a 24/7 service, to deal with the wide range of queries and problems from holiday makers.
6. Checkout charges. In some locations there is a lots competition however lower charges , cut to the bone are not necessarily synonymous with either great efficiency or quality of service - if charges are set too low Companies may skimp on some essentials. For example cutting back on pool service can lead to a pool full of allgie, resembling a scene from the day of the Triffods rather than a holiday in paradise. Full service maintenance come at cost, but for example if you opt to only have your grass cut rather than cut and treated you may find yourself having to replace that expensive St augustines turf in a year thanks to the combination of chinch bugs - a less welcome Florida resident - and weeds.
7. Ensure you pay all tax and service bills are sent to your UK address. This will give you tighter control on your costs and avoid a scenario where through incompetance or fraud your house is subject to a lien, due to unpaid property tax bills, this happens every year.
8. Use a specialised property broker. Identfy an appropriate location and an experienced honest Real Estate Agent in the first place, do not attempt to buy the property yourself or directly from a developer. A good fully licensed experienced specialised property broker will due to the property buying system in Florida cost you nothing and keep in regular contact with you, long after you have bought your property and update you on the performance of Management companies. If your property broker does not keep in regular contact and is readily available you may have chosen the wrong company!
9. How much time and involvement are you prepared to provide? To maximize your income potential you will obtain the best results using a str - if you use your management company or a guaranteed rental scheme the weekly rentals tend to be significantly lower, than if you market the property yourself - we can advise on how our most successful clients successfully market their properties to maximize rental weeks.
10. Checkout the Company. Research the records of the local Better Business Bureau, Chamber of Commerce, Sherrif's Office , Licensing Authorities and the web.
    

The following excerpt is the first installment of our free, week-long workshop we will be conducting here on our blog. Be sure to check the archives often for new updates and topics!

In theory, the advantages or disadvantages financially of short-term rentals against long-term rentals are very clear - they are decided on whether or not a property will accumulate more income at a lower cost over a year as a long term rental than with holiday-making families renting for one or two weeks at a time throughout most of the year.

In Florida, zoning laws can be the deciding factor as to which option you will choose. These laws determine whether there is a minimum time a property can be rented out for - it may be 12 times a year - 3 times a year - monthly, fortnightly or no time limits or restrictions.

These zoning limits and restrictions will of course vary between counties, some may have fewer restrictions and allow short-term rentals while others will not allow rentals for less than a month at a time. To complicate matters even further, individual developments may have their own regulations which can sometimes be even harsher than the counties. So, be very aware that just because a county has not restrictions or limits, it doesn't necessarily mean that short-term rentals are allowed.

Here are a few examples of properties that are zoned for short-term rental:

1. The Towns of Legacy Park
2. WaterSong Resort
3. Encantada Resort
4. Aviana Resort

Although you can use a management company to take care of everything including bookings, the best way to generate income is to advertise the property yourself. Short-term rentals can be a good choice if you wish to make use of the property yourself during the year and also want some rental income to cover costs. Money generated this way is free of commission. Also, don’t buy in an area solely because it allows short-term rentals. One day you may choose to sell the property and therefore the desirability of the area for resale is a highly critical factor.

Step One.

Congratulations! You have already made it to the first step of your journey by visiting our website! The information included on this site should help to answer some questions and provide you with an introductory overview of buying a villa in Florida. Further information such as builder brochures, pricing, financing, availability, etc. can be forwarded to you upon request. We are one of Orlando's most established vacation home companies and our membership in many local, state, and national associations embodies our commitment to professionalism and the highest industry standards.

Step Two:

You’re Visit to Florida. Once you have chosen Totally Florida Plus, you can now arrange a visit to Florida. We offer daily departures through all scheduled airlines and would be happy to tailor a viewing trip for you. We feel that four to five days will allow you sufficient time to view the various properties, arrange proper finances and make a final selection. Upon your arrival, one of our licensed Real Estate professionals will meet you at the location of your choice and assist you in the search for the perfect home. Alternatively, you may be traveling on your vacation and we would welcome the opportunity to arrange an appointment with you at your convenience. Our Realtors are available seven days a week.

Step Three:

Thinking Things Over. Our Experienced Realtors will guide and arrange site visits of various properties that fit your specific needs. It is at this point that you will begin to understand the aspects of home buying, including location, prices, square footage and more.The first day of viewing may send your head spinning, but try to relax! Once you have pinpointed a few specific homes that you are interested in, we can revisit them at your convenience.

Step Four:

Contract. Once you have made your final decision, the builder's representative will calculate the basic cost of the home to include your selected upgrades, pool design, lot selection etc. At this time, you will sign a sales contract and move forward with your purchase. The sales office will produce a price sheet and schedule of deposits and mortgage payments based on the total purchase price and an estimated date of completion. Generally the builder will require an initial deposit to secure your price and reserve your lot. Although each builder has different requirements, another deposit will be required within 10-30 days, usually equaling 15-20% of the total price. In the unlikely event that your mortgage is not approved, all deposits paid are fully refundable. Generally, the final cash deposit is not due until closing when your home is complete. However, each builder will differ and each contract may change the payment structure.


Step Five:

Decorating and Furniture. Should you require help in choosing color selections for your new home, matching tile, carpet, cabinets etc., our Recommended Interior Decorator will be happy to assist you. This service is free of charge to you. Should you wish to purchase Custom Furnishing Package, we will arrange a meeting with the interior Designer/Furniture Company. Your furniture package will include everything your need for your home to be a turn-key operation, including linens, plates, utensils and more. Furnishings included in the packages are tasteful and classy, providing a very comfortable setting for your guests.

Step Six:

Financing. If you require a Mortgage, we will introduce you to a mortgage broker who will prepare an application for your financing (we can of course make an appointment for you prior to a contract for a discussion). As a guide, most Florida home purchases are financed through a US mortgage. Although you are able to finance from the UK, the US mortgages tend to be flexible, making them more attractive to the buyer. Financing from 80% of the total purchase price may be obtained, although opting for 70% which requires less financial documentation is easier for approval. Interest rates may currently be fixed for up to 30 years and have generally no redemption penalties should you decide to repay the mortgage early.

Step Seven:

Bank Account. It is essential that you obtain a US bank account. We have no particular preference of the institution and will assist with this process. A bank account may be opened with photo identification and as little as $20 to get you started.


Step Eight:

Management Companies. During your stay we will introduce you to a management company to discuss the management and rental services on offer for your investment home. Who looks after your house is one of the most important factors in owning a home in Florida. You will need to decide if you want a Full Service Management Company, that have contracts with Tour Operators etc and take care of everything including providing bookings etc, or what is known as a “Caretaker Manager” that just makes sure the house is cleaned and your grass cut and pool cleaned for your own guests that you have booked through your own efforts.


Step Nine:

Construction Process. During the construction we will communicate with you on a regular basis, sending you photographs so you can track the building progress. We will also ensure your mortgage company processes your loan as smoothly and quickly as possible. Throughout this time, it is so important that you maintain communication with us. With our experience, we can help to ensure the process is moving along smoothly. The County Building Inspector is required to pass each stage of construction so don't worry because he is also watching out for you. Prior to closing or completion, we are requested by the builder to conduct a walk through (snagging) on your behalf - assuming you are not in Florida yourself. At this meeting with the builder we will check the finish of the home and document any items requiring attention for the builder. Most times there will be another scheduled walk of the home to show that the items have been completed. We will make every effort to ensure the house is finished to a high standard that would meet with your approval. The builders we work with are very good with regard to repairs or replacements of all items under warranty during the first year, and normally no job is too small for the eager Customer Service Department.

Step Ten:

Prior to Closing. Your closing date will be scheduled by the builder and you should be notified about one month prior to that date. There are few small items that need to be addresses at this time. A Homeowners Insurance policy must be in place before you close. You will need to contact an insurance agent and request that a policy be drawn up for your property. There are a few basic questions that you will need to answer. You will then have to sign and pay for the policy before it becomes active. A Totally Florida representative will help you with this. You will also need to be sure that your money for closing has been transferred over to your US bank account. Be aware that it may take up to four business days for the wired amount to reach your US account. Stay in close contact with your mortgage company and inform them of the date of the closing. If there is any additional information that is requested of you from the lender, you will want to be forthcoming and send required documents over as quickly as possible so as not to delay your closing. Contact your furniture company, informing them of your closing date and pay any outstanding balances to allow for a quick installation time. Finally, now is the time to work closely with your chosen Management Company to get everything in order for the management and rental of your property. You will want to be sure that all of the required documents are signed and that your initial deposit has been made. Their professional staff members will coordinate with the necessary companies to prepare your home for rentals or for your arrival.

Step Eleven:

The Closing. You may choose to arrive in Florida to close on your home or the title company will mail a closing package to you at home. Your mortgage company will have ensured the property is appraised (valued) and meets the lenders required valuation. The Title Company (who acts as an impartial third party between the builder and the buyer) will have conducted title searches to ensure you receive a clear title. You will incur closing costs of approximately 2 to 5% of the purchase price. This will include Government Taxes, Title Registration, Mortgage Registration and Title Insurance. You are often required to contribute toward a mortgage escrow for taxes and insurance. This contribution will be applied to taxes and insurance in the future, thus preventing unexpected out-of-pocket expenses. A full statement of costs detailing the purchase price, mortgage, fees, etc., will be issued to you. If you require a mortgage, you will need to make an appointment with a certified notary as the documents need to have an official stamp. It is a good idea to locate a notary in your area before you receive the closing documents and ask if they have any special requirements. Please be aware that your closing documents are dated and extremely time sensitive. It is a valuable lesson to ask any questions that you may have and be sure that you understand the process and what is expected of you. This will make your closing process a simple one. After your signature is applied to the relevant papers, the documents are returned to the title company and your closing costs have been made, the keys are yours!

Recently reduced from $15,000,000 to $11,995,000!

Situated in Spanish Wells Plantation on a peninsula with deep water on both sides.

This is a brand new estate home (18,000+ heated sq. ft.) with premium features. It offers 8 spacious bedrooms, (each with a uniquely designed bathroom), 10 full baths, 4 half baths and a 4 car plus golf cart garage.

Other specialty rooms include an indoor pool, home theatre, game room, sports bar, exercise room, wine cellar, an office, large workshop & a lanai with a full kitchen. Every room on the 1st and 2nd floor has a water view. The deepwater dock includes a boatlift and a sitting area.

Click here for additional information and details on this wonderful home.

In a dramatic turn around, The Ginn Co is now NOT buying 19 Centex properties as earlier reported here first on our blog. Ginn has purchased and closed the Golf course at Hammock Beach near Centex's Bulow Shores property.

This is good news for people who have already reserved some of the amazing waterfront lots at Bulow Shores. If you are interested in knowing more about this wonderful new Centex project on the Palm Coast

click here

Wayne Rooney has bought a luxury appartment in Port Charlotte Florida.

see the full story here

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2007010093,00.html

Beazer Homes are offering some amazing incentives to buyers for the last few available homes at Highgate at Legacy Park in Davenport. Up to $50,000 discounts, free closing costs etc.

These homes are minutes from Disney theme parks and are ideal for buyers of Vacation/Holiday homes looking for rental income.

Further Incentives may be available for Totally Florida clients.

Buying a Vacation home or Condo in Orlando still represents great value compared to some other markets. Condos near Disney that are ideal for rental income are available from $129,000.
The developers are also offering a 2 year leaseback. UK buyers can get US mortgages from just 20% deposit.

Check out these units here

http://www.totallyflorida.com/florida/legacy.php

The Orlando area's market will stay No. 1 in Florida.


The Orlando area is Florida's strongest real-estate market as the state heads into the new year, while Fort Myers and Miami are the weakest, according to a new, three-year forecast that has mostly good news for the region.Metro Orlando's advantages include strong population growth, driven by "robust gains in employment," and relatively low levels of new-home inventory, according to the report, which is to be released next week by Attorney's Title Insurance Fund Inc."Orange County's economy will grow strongly through 2009," and population growth "holds up well over the forecast horizon," said Orlando-based economist Hank Fishkind, who prepared the report for Attorney's Title, the state's leading title-insurance underwriter.

Fishkind said Friday that Fort Myers and Miami are the weakest markets in the state because of large inventories of unsold homes and lower rates of household formation.In four-county Metro Orlando, Lake County could experience one of the weaker real-estate rebounds, as the report notes there is "little growth in the rate of formation of new households," and "housing starts are expected to slow through 2007 and remain stable through 2009.

"Still, the Lake County economy overall is expected to expand strongly through 2009 as it integrates with the metro area's three other counties, the report predicts."They really have an [excess] inventory problem there," Fishkind said of Lake County's housing stock.In Orange and Seminole counties, there is relatively little "standing inventory" of new homes, the report notes, and household growth in those counties "gives rise to sustained strength in housing starts."Trouble in OsceolaOsceola County's new-home starts plunged from about 8,000 units in 2005 to about 4,000 last year, and it will likely remain at about that level through 2009, the forecast suggests. Though the county has little standing inventory of single-family homes, "high inventories of new and converted condominium units will keep prices stable as the market continues to slip."The report, which analyzed 33 of the state's largest counties, predicts that, in Metro Orlando, "trends in the existing-home markets are expected to be similar to those of the new homes' marketplace.

"It depends on your market. Windermere is different from Pine Hills. So you really have to pay attention to your local area and educate your clients about that, " said Buskers, who moved to Central Florida three years ago from the Washington area."I do think this is a vibrant market overall and should be the rest of the year. But that doesn't mean prices will appreciate like before," he added. "We'll still see some adjustment downward."Fishkind said that, in analyzing the data, he was also struck by how widely the various counties differ in terms of housing stock, buyer demand and other factors.

"There is very strong differentiation, even within a metro area," Fishkind said. "Lee County is overbuilt. Collier County, right next door -- not so overbuilt."Market 'coming back'Jeff Alexander, a Lake Mary resident and president of Homecrete Homes, a specialty builder based in Stuart on the Treasure Coast, said he concurs that the Orlando market has advantages over some areas of the state -- including more room for growth."The Treasure Coast is what's known as a scattered-lot market," Alexander said. "There are just no big tracts of homes, the way it is in the Orlando area."Alexander, who has been in the home-building business since 1979 but moved to Florida from Chicago about six years ago, said residential construction in Florida is returning to more-conventional and cyclical patterns based on supply and demand."The market has flattened out, but it's coming back," Alexander said.

They were then relieved of $5,000 each and shipped over on charter flights through Sanford airport for two week 'training courses' at this truck driving school in Orlando. At the end of which they were issued with some useless 'certificate' and were all sent back home to 'wait for their employment visa to be processed'.Of course, there never was an 'employment visa' or 'work permit' in sight because the US (at that time of less than 7 years ago) had no such shortage of truck drivers and, therefore, there was no chance of there being such working visas granted at all !I was involved in bringing about the arrest at Sanford of the previous crooks. They were jailed in Orlando, charged, convicted, detained in Florida then deported later back to the Uk to face Inland Revenue and DTI charges.

They were each banned from being directors of a UK Company for five years. But, guess what, another firm was set up almost the very next day - same address, different label, different directors !But a LOT of innocent truck drivers lost a LOT of money in the process as well as many other would-be emigrants including a dear friend of ours, a single lady, who had fallen in love with the Florida dream. It cost her over £6,000 (no, she wouldn't take our warning advice - just kept throwing money at them) ! She never did get any kind of job or visa from them at all ! She finally got a Green Card through her sister in Seattle after 11 years of waiting. But she is over there now and has been struggling ever since she arrived there in 2001. So, when I saw the name "Visa Plus", I remembered that this was the 'new name' and was interested to read what they have been up to since.

Here are two stories carried by the Daily Mirror since that time (though both now a few years old) but I have a feeling that they will be making new headlines again some time soon as there are people again stepping forward saying that they are having problems with them.Sorted: "VISA GEEZER'S BACK ON MAKE" "Shameless rogue returns with 'start a new life' scam !" The Mirror Date 12/07/2002 By Andren Penman and Michael GreenwoodPage nos 18 Edition Ulster Picture Caption CONFRONTED: Copsey comes face to face with Greenwood; LURE: A Visa Plus ad in Yellow Pages LYING Graham Copsey is like a bad smell that won't go away. For three years he's been shattering the dreams of people wanting to live abroad.Undeterred by the collapse of his third and latest emigration advice company, he's brazenly touting for more cash.Trading as Visa Plus, he uses the same address, the same sales literature and same phone line as his previous disasters. Pick up a copy of Yellow Pages and in the "Embassies" section you'll see the Visa Plus ad headed "A new life abroad".This week, Copsey offered to help our undercover reporter get a visa to live with a girlfriend in New York. The fee would be £99 for an appraisal, followed by later services which could cost up to £3,000. Thousands of people are desperate to move to a new country but the rules are strict and the paperwork complicated.The Visa Plus brochure claims its staff have the experience to help and the company is "an established worldwide relocation specialist". Visa Plus is little more than Graham William Copsey, 46, and his business partner, accountant John Patrick Gillespie, 50, who hide behind a mail drop in York Street, West London.(* see footnote)We first encountered this pair in 2000 when we exposed a company called First Point International. It was a sophisticated sham run from smart offices near Oxford Street, London, by David Morris Webster and Geoffrey Richard Burman, who both had fraud convictions and were disqualified from running companies.First Point has since been shut down by the courts, owing millions and leaving hundreds with ruined plans for moving abroad. Among its directors were Copsey and Gillespie.Copsey was boss of the finance arm, which was under investigation by the authorities because it sent debt collectors after customers who got nothing for their money.

When First Point chief Webster was nicked in America, Copsey begged us to tell Mirror readers that, unlike his boss, he was "ethical" and would help customers.We said that despite his promises it was odd that, as a director of First Point, Copsey claimed to know nothing of its dodgy deals. We also mentioned that he'd been responsible for a security firm which went bust in 1994 with unpaid debts of £40,000.>From the ashes of First Point, Copsey and Gillespie then set up Visa Plus Ltd, which banked more fees from emigration hopefuls before it crashed in June 2001, unable to pay debts of more than £100,000.Undeterred, they carried on their trade using a company called VP Relocation Ltd, which went bust last month - this time owing £40,000 to customers and the taxman.With an astonishing arrogance, Copsey and Gillespie, of Buckhurst Hill, Essex, have set up yet another firm, Visaplus Relocation Ltd.On the documents Copsey signed at Companies House he says he lives in Welwyn, Herts - he doesn't.We tracked him to a £200,000 home 10 miles away in Hertford.Peering through his doorway, he told us we'd got the wrong man and that his name was Harry Jones.It's a pathetic lie for a man living in a home where the phone is in the name Graham Copsey, where the red Jag parked outside belongs to Graham Copsey and where the neighbours tell us his name is - surprise, surprise - Graham Copsey. *****************************Sorted And The City: Graham William Copsey The Mirror Date 17/04/2003 Byl Andrew Penman, Michael Greenwood & Guy DennisPage 50 Picture Caption WHO? ME? Greenwood meets Copsey We said he was scum and now we have been proved right.Liar Graham William Copsey has been banned from running companies for five years after a government investigation found that he diddled customers and the tax man. Copsey, of various address in Herts, specialised in shattering the dreams of people wanting to live abroad.The slippery cheat once tried to hide from us by claiming he was actually "Harry Jones".We exposed him in 2000 when he ran the finance arm of First Point International which claimed that, for a fee, it could help get visas for people wanting to live in the USA.It couldn't and First Point Finance went bust in January 2001 with debts of £3.52million.Since then he has set up two further companies in exactly the same field, both of which have gone bust.Until January, Copsey, 42, was boss of yet another similar outfit called Visa Plus Relocation Ltd. His Russian wife Natalia has now signed on as the boss. And if Copsey should try running any company from the shadows while banned, he will face two years in jail.

"Footnote:They are now at 100 Pall Mall, St James. Or is that just another mail-drop I wonder ?


Written by Peter Stanhope

Building has started on the Desert Pearl site.

In October, the Structural Phase of construction began. Over 100 hundred staff work on the site and this phase is expected to be completed by March 2007 .

The pillar and foundations are being laid on the four storey building complex.

The development will consist of gated, European style terrace apartments with communal tropical gardens, pool bar and swimming pools.