Spruce Creek Fly-in Real Estate - Karlhaus Realty - Airpark Properties

Another Reason to List with Karlhaus at Spruce Creek

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:06:00 +0000

Karlhaus Advertising

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:22:00 +0000

At Karlhaus we think outside of the box, because outside of the box is where creativity lies.

Carlos Bravo, CEO of Karlhaus.

Advertising is not about interrupting what people are interested in; its art lies in providing what people are interested in. We believe in engaging, powerful presentations that awakens interest and desire. We turn potential buyers into actual buyers as a byproduct. We gain a lifetime of trust as the end result.

Carlos Bravo is our CEO. He’s a man who likes controversy and loves inspiration. He hates the words "but", "don't" and "can't" and has little patience for those that utter them; unless, of course, they are a competitor...

We know which way the market is going, we spot trends before they become trends. By the time the trend is evident, we are well positioned. This simple formula is the basis of marketing strategy.

While stagnant traditional real estate companies sit perplexed over why a property they list does not sell (and their customers grow frustrated accordingly) they too often point solely at price. We look at positioning and promotion and on extricating the best features and matching those to the needs of a buyer.

Carlos's professional technology and marketing career has taken him around the globe over the past 30 years. The various companies he had a hand in founding and growing today provide employment to thousands of families and produce some of the most innovative products and services in the world.

Engaging, Compelling
and Original
Ideas that Get Attention...

This is no rocket science (although we do have a card-carrying rocket scientist on staff...) this is second nature to any true marketing professional.

We make sense of the chaos in a world of hyper-abundant information and constant innovation.

so much choice so little time...

Niche marketing is an attempt at speaking to today's highly fragmented consumer base in a way they find meaningful and engaging. For marketers looking to make deep connections with select groups of people, there are countless market segments, defined not only by traditional demographics (age, gender, income, etc.) but also by increasingly nuanced and insistent product preferences.

Sorting through the needs and wants of a customer and matching those to an ideal property is our art. In this regard, we have the strongest magic in town.

Creativity in Communication

Today, people are empowered, they demand creativity in communication. Karlhaus Realty's creative department has the talent and technology to generate effective ads in any media. From our branding strategies to positioning and promotion approaches, the marketing brainpower at Karlhaus ensures your property gets the attention it deserves. It is no surprise that Karlhaus Clients always attain the best terms. Not sure? ask any of them!

Karlhaus knows the most effective and efficient ways to reach customers at a time when the Internet continues to change our lives and traditional media isn’t enough to change opinions or attract a buyer.

Social Networks

Online social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace are now frequented by tens of millions, half of whom are over 35. Karlhaus knows how to use these communities to your advantage, especially during rough times. Social media amplifies and accelerates word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM) and creates a new force -digital influence- that has the power to attract customers.

Print Media Advertising

Karlhaus produces the best brochures and flyers in the business, period. From staging the property in its best light to the creative use of professional photography, digital imaging and production design, our capabilities are unmatched. The end result is a presentation of quality fitting the attention your property deserves. Our professionally printed rich, glossy brochures are so prized, they become collectors items to our clients. Some even frame them!

Here is a sampling of our past print ads:

Spruce Creek Magazine Print Ads by Karlhaus

Disruption is inevitable.
Who gets to be the disrupter is up for grabs...

Columbia Business School ad

Karlhaus Realty Record: 13 Properties Sold or Under Contract in less than 9 days!

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:38:00 +0000

SPRUCE CREEK - Karlhaus Realty has announced a new record in selling properties. The fledging and dynamic company has entered under contract a total of thirteen properties in less than two weeks. The fast pace of sales is attributed to Karlhaus' internet-based business model with a reach several orders of magnitude greater than any other real estate company in the area.

Karlhaus CEO, Carlos Bravo said that they have been receiving a large amount of calls from potential customers from as far away as Moscow, Russia (formerly the USSR). Bravo indicated that he is actively searching for additional agents to join the fast-paced realty based at the world famous Spruce Creek Fly-In. "The key skills we look for are, above all: sheer intelligence as well as professionalism, integrity, knowledge and a passion for the business" Bravo added that "all agents joining Karlhaus must be well versed in computer technology as most of our transactions are paperless and take part putting together parties across vast distances.".

He explained that the hours are long, customers are extremely demanding (as they should be), and the problems being addressed are never easy to solve ("if they were, they would not need to call us..."). "For us, though, this environment is energizing and extremely exciting, and we embrace the challenges with all the intellect and experience at our disposal", Bravo said. He added that the rewards are unlimited as the commission structure is more generous than any other in the area.

When asked how can his realty enjoy such success when so many experienced real estate companies are being forced out of the business due to the current economy, Bravo responded: "Our record was accomplished against entrenched competition with a 20-year lead, but which have fallen asleep at the wheel, lost and confused in today's world of internet and global marketing and not understanding that today's buyer is much more educated and savvy than before. The days of placing a property on the local MLS and passing business cards to the ladies at church or the buddies at the club as a total marketing strategy are over."

"Being and investor and developer that actually has put his own skin in many deals, I approach this quite a bit different from the rest of the agencies here at the Fly-in. "

Bravo, also a private investor and former Management Consultant to some of the largest corporations in the US, said that he modeled Karlhaus in part using the same strategies as his previous business which went public in 1999 and grew to a market valuation of $6 Billion and 1,300 employees.

"I have a professional marketing background with a high-tech engineering foundation and am applying the same concepts I did during my old Management Consulting days when Fortune 500 companies hired my company to provide solid advice and marketing strategies. My competition included the likes of Andersen Consulting, Deloitte-Touche and Price-Waterhouse." Bravo said.

"Further, while other agencies photograph their listings with "Wal-Mart-style" digital cameras, we utilize professional quality photography, while our competitors provide handouts to customers directly from a copy machine, we generate high-quality glossy brochures as fit reflection of the presentation our high-end properties deserve. Our listings have interactive maps and virtual views, where a potential buyer can actually see and feel as if driving by the property from the comfort of their homes."

"Our web site is the most comprehensive source of listings information in the area. Our own competitors routinely use it to find out what's available! (we know, we track IP addresses...). Our photography is so well regarded that in a recent instance we have had to photograph a competitor's listing to send to a client of ours only to find out the competitor later lifted our photos without our permission and used them to promote their own listing!"

"How embarrassing is that?..." Bravo added.

Karlhaus also was selected by Coldwell Banker REO Services as one of a select group of exclusive real Estate Companies experienced in handling Bank-Owned asset dispositions directly. To that effect, Karlhaus Realty created a division, Karlhaus REO which exclusively works with buyers and sellers of foreclosures, REO's and similar special-circumstance properties. For more information see REO Services with Karlhaus Realty.

About Karlhaus Realty...

KARLHAUS REALTY™ at the Spruce Creek Fly-in is a full service Real Estate Brokerage specializing in Florida luxury residential fly-in, golf and ocean properties as well as commercial and investment real estate. Based at the Spruce Creek Fly-in, the world's most exclusive fly-in community, we are only a few miles from famous Daytona Beach. Here you can read a little about our business model: About Karlhaus Realty at Spruce Creek. Download the brochure Spruce Creek Real Estate The Karlhaus Way.

What is This Home Worth? Use ValueMap™ for Quick Estimates!

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:24:00 +0000

Karlhaus Realty has implemented Realist ValueMap™ and is now available free to its customers through its Spruce Creek Real Estate web site. The ValueMap tool provides quick automated estimates of a property's worth according to recent sales and several statistics from public records and the MLS® databases.

The Karlhaus ValueMap provides you with 24/7 access to the complete spectrum of property information-covering 97% of U.S. real estate transactions. The system is much more than a simple valuation tool. With it you can:

• Enter a home address and ValueMap instantly provides the estimated value of the home
• Determine the estimated value of adjacent homes
• Allow users to adjust home facts and re-calculate a home’s value
• View nearby homes for sale
• View similar homes in the area that have recently sold and for how much

More than a home valuation site, Realist ValueMap brings all of this to life with highly interactive mapping features such as: up-to-date street maps, Bird’s Eye and Aerial imagery, and even parcel lot lines.

While a more precise value assessment can only be obtained by a professional, the Karlhaus ValueMap is a good first step in gauging the value of your property in comparison to your neighbor's. This tool in combination with the services of a Karlhaus Agent can be a valuable resource in estimating the value of a property, whether you are a Buyer or a Seller.

Karlhaus CEO, Carlos Bravo said that while the ValueMap tool is still new and can be somewhat inaccurate in estimating the value of unique properties such as those in the Spruce Creek Fly-in, it does have value in assessing relative worth when a property is compared to another. He added that "the ability to display nearby sales data and listings for sale as well as the virtual imagery makes it a very useful tool for our customers". "Today's Buyers do a lot of their real estate research through the internet thanks to the wide availability of information", Bravo said.

Karlhaus has access to the latest sales data and market trends, not only for properties sold through the MLS® but for all properties, including For Sale by Owner (FSBO), direct sales and trades in Spruce Creek, Port Orange, and anywhere else in Florida. This information is essential and, when combined with our expertise and negotiating advice, ensure the best possible deal for Karlhaus clients whether they are Buying or Selling.

According to Bravo, Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 technologies are disrupting the way real estate business is transacted. "Through the Karlhaus Realty sites, a Buyer might as easily be shopping for a home in Spruce Creek while drinking his afternoon coffee in Germany, and at the same time another Buyer in Spain is enjoying some virtual browsing as if he was driving down the streets of Port Orange, using the street view features of the Karlhaus Map-Based Property Search."

True to its mission at the forefront of internet technology to provide the best real estate marketing tools to its customers, Karlhaus moves forward yet another step in its Total Web Supremacy™ in the marketing of Spruce Creek Fly-In properties.

See the Karlhaus ValueMap in action: What is my Spruce Creek Home Worth?

Buying Foreclosures, Port Orange, Spruce Creek

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 23:46:00 +0000

In times of adversity, there's opportunity but Buyer Beware is the name of the game. Make sure you go in with a trusted and knowledgeable advisor. Clark Howard from CNN has helpful tips for buying foreclosures.

Daytona Beach Foreclosures

Port Orange Foreclosures

Ormond Beach Foreclosures

New Smyrna Beach Foreclosures

Ponce Inlet Foreclosures

Karlhaus Realty at Spruce Creek Fly-in launches map-based property search tool

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:52:00 +0000

SPRUCE CREEK, FL - True to its mission at the forefront of technology and Total Web Supremacy™ in the marketing of Real Estate properties at the Spruce Creek Fly-in and surrounding areas, Karlhaus Realty has launched a proprietary map-based property search tool. The Karlhaus Mapplet is based on Google® Maps technology and allows customers even more flexibility in searching for available properties from the comfort of their home.

The Mapplet provides users with all the tools needed to research their next real estate purchase. It includes Interactive mapping, search filters, community and demographic information along with details on each specific property. Once a specific property is selected from the map view, the user is able to see detailed information about that listing. This includes a photo gallery of the property, description, features and amenities, price, square footage and a street view.

Users can compare property prices by geographic location and easily switch from map, satellite/aerial and terrain views to better scout sites.

The database includes all MLS® properties available for sale not only in Spruce Creek but also Real Estate offerings in the cities of Port Orange, Daytona Beach, Ormond Beach, and surrounding areas.

Much more than just Map-based real estate searches

In selected areas, the user can drill down for a "Street View" which provides an actual 360-degree view of a property and its surroundings. This feature allows a potential buyer to see the house as if he or she were driving down the street. Parcel boundaries are also included so buyers can get an idea of the lot sizes as well. Users can rotate or advance the point of view and see real life what the neighboring properties look like at the street level.

Full menus and a help tab are available as well in this complete interactive system. Karlhaus Realty is based at the world famous Spruce Creek Fly-in, near Port Orange, FL. Its website is http://www.flyinrealty.com.

View the map-based Spruce Creek property search.

REO Services with KarlHaus Realty

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 02:56:00 +0000

KarlHaus Realty REO Services provide a single point solution for Asset Management. We are the only REO specialists in our market area and have established ourselves as the leader in the disposition of high-end bank-owned properties. Our talent pool includes seasoned real estate investors, developers, asset managers, appraisers, real estate agents and relocation directors that can understand the special challenges in the preparation, preservation, management, marketing and disposal of post-foreclosure assets.

The Internet has become the hunting grounds for savvy buyers, and KARLHAUS REALTY has positioned itself at the forefront of this technology to capitalize on this trend. The advent of Web 2.0, social networking and viral marketing have drastically changed the way real estate is researched, bought and sold, making the market more transparent. With KARLHAUS internet heritage, SEO experience and technological expertise you can be assured your REO property will get maximum exposure worldwide.

We can and do achieve superior results through our ability to reach underserved market niches resulting in better and more timely executions for clients. We develop, implement and monetize specialized real estate strategies of benefit to investors/clients focused on liquidity and the time-value of money.

Our REO services include:

Advisory Services

Planning and Management

Initial Inspections (occupancy, condition, etc.)

Cash-for-keys

Gain Entry

Re-Rey & Secure Property

Utilities Connected

Preparation of BPO including Int. and Ext. Photos

Arrange for Clean-up and Trash-out

Hurricane preparedness evaluations

Pool and spa securing

Pool and spa cleaning and ongoing maintenance

Landscaping Recovery and Maintenance

Homes checked weekly

Network of Sub-Contractors also available to complete repairs.

REO Marketing

Local MLS Exposure

National Listing Service

Viral Marketing to over Over 120 web sites and millions of potential customers

Web 2.0 Technologies allow international reach

Traditional Yard Sign, Tours

Full Spectrum Advertising

Multiple languages capability

Many deals can be completed within weeks.

Daytona Beach Foreclosures

Port Orange Foreclosures

Ormond Beach Foreclosures

New Smyrna Beach Foreclosures

Ponce Inlet Foreclosures

KarlHaus Realty's CEO Carlos Bravo appointed to the Technology Committee of the Daytona Beach Association of Realtors

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:50:00 +0000

The founder and CEO of KarlHaus Realty, Carlos Bravo, has been appointed by the Board of Directors of the Daytona Beach Association of Realtors (DBAAR) to serve on its Technology Committee.

The DBAAR's Technology Committee develops and advices on technology strategy and issues related to Multiple Listing Service (MLS©) data services to its members. The Committee also investigates and develops recommendations on new technologies which should be offered to REALTORS©.

Carlos brings over 20 years of experience in Mergers and Acquisitions, Business Strategy Consulting and Advanced Internet Technologies. He was one of the original shareholders of USinternetworking (USi), the world's first Internet Application Services Provider after leading the merger that built the company. During his tenure, USi grew to over 1,300 employees and a market valuation of over $6 Billion. Carlos attended the University of Florida's School of Engineering and Northwestern University's Law and Business Schools and holds advanced degrees in Aerospace Engineering and Business.

The Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS® is one of the nearly 1,600 real estate boards in the country which make up the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the largest trade association in the world.

Established in 1922, the Daytona Beach Area Association of REALTORS® has over 1,800 members dedicated to serving the needs of both home sellers and buyers in the greater Daytona Beach area.

Serving the needs of its members, the public and the community are the association's three main purposes. With a wide variety of continuing education programs, the association encourages its members to strive for the highest degree of professionalism in the industry.

In addition to providing education and marketing tools to its members, the association also enforces the Code of Ethics of the National Association of REALTORS® which each REALTOR® subscribes to when joining the association.

Code of Ethics of the National Association of Realtors®

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:40:00 +0000

As a member of the National Association of Realtors, our Realtors subscribe to a strict Code of Ethics. This Code of Ethics governs the way we do business and we consider it as a minimum baseline.

At Karlhaus Realty we take this very seriously and strive to not only abide by these articles but to exceed their requirements. The Code contains 17 articles and is broken into three sections:

Sec. 1-9 discusses our Duties to Customers and Clients.

Sec. 10-14 discusses our Duties to the Public.

Sec. 15-17 discusses our Duties to our Real Estate Professionals.

Real Estate at Spruce Creek

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:24:00 +0000

To see properties available for sale at Spruce Creek, click below:

Spruce Creek Offers a wide range of Property Choices

There is a diverse range of properties at the Spruce Creek Fly-in.

Literally a small village, Spruce Creek was masterfully designed to offer a self-contained mixture of commercial and residential neighborhoods inside the community.

Some neighborhoods are single-family, some are zero-lot line, others are multifamily townhomes and we also have condo units. At the center of Spruce Creek, in the immediate areas of the runway, we have a commercial section with diverse businesses and private hangars and offices.

The best way to visualize it all is with the Spruce Creek Fly-in Map , which provides an interactive aerial view of the community.

In all, The Spruce Creek Fly-in encompasses almost 5,000 residents, 1,300 homes, 700 hangars and 14 miles of taxiways sharing a unique life in this private, security-patrolled and gated village.

Spruce Creek Properties

Taxiway Homes

Taxiway homes are properties with direct access to taxiways. Most Taxiway Homes include an attached or detached hangar and we call them "Hangar Homes". While the majority of Taxiway Homes are single-family residences, there are a few villas, duplexes and condos with access to taxiways as well.

Golf Course Homes

Golf Course Homes are those located on the Spruce Creek Country Club's golf course. Most have great views of the fairways. An ocassional errant golf ball might end up in their backyards.

Nature Homes

Homes that may not have direct access to the taxiways or the golf course but that usually include views of the nature preserve that surrounds much of Spruce Creek. Some Nature homes have direct access to the Spruce Creek and may have docks to launch canoes and small boats.

Also considered "Nature Homes" are all other homes in Spruce Creek that do not fit any other category. These provide an alternative for those who wish to enjoy the security and lifestyle of Spruce Creek but do not need an attached hangar nor prefer being directly on the golf course. These are located away from the nature areas but often include beautifully landscaped grounds and artificial lakes in their surroundings.

Condos

Spruce Creek offers several planned neighborhoods that include condominiums with a worry-free lifestyle, private neighborhood pools and recreation areas. Condominium units have one or two-stories with diverse designs.

Hangars

Commercial, Business- zoned Hangars are available in the commercial and offices area of Spruce Creek. These are mostly separate from residential properties. The allowable uses vary and may include a variety of commercial enterprises in addition to the storing of aircraft. Uses include recording studios, furniture building, warehouse storage, storage of Recreational Vehicles, cars and boats, Exercise Training Facilities and more. There are several hangar developments, each with its own condominium association, rules and regulations.

Vacant Lots

A few vacant lots are available to build your custom home.

KARLHAUS REALTY, Your Spruce Creek Real Estate Experts

KARLHAUS REALTY can assist you in viewing and purchasing any of the properties available at the Spruce Creek Fly-in regardless of which Real Estate company has the listing or represents the seller.

Through special agreements, we also have access to properties that may be available but not listed in the area's Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

The professionals at KARLHAUS REALTY are ready to be of service to make reality the dream of owning property at Spruce Creek.

The Buying Process and the HUD-1 Closing Statement

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 01:15:00 +0000

HUD's Buying Your Home: Settlement Costs and Helpful Information. Essential guide to understanding the process of buying a home and deciphering the standard HUD-1 Settlement Statement.

Add Spruce Creek Real Estate News to your web site

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 00:43:00 +0000

Karlhaus Realty at the Spruce Creek Fly-in has developed and released its web widget that can be easily shared and distributed anywhere on the web. With this widget, users can add Real Spruce Creek and Port Orange Real Estate News to their web sites which will enable higher traffic and a richer experience to their readers.

Web widgets are portable chunks of the Web that can be easily embedded into a webpage. Use them to get news, information, entertainment, decoration, or whatever else you can think of for your blog, profile page, personal home page, or web site.

Add the Spruce Creek Real Estate News Widget.

Spruce Creek Water Service: Volusia County Welcome Booklet

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:32:00 +0000

The Spruce Creek Fly-in water service is provided by Volusia County. Here is their welcome package booklet with everything you need to know, including contact information, rates, billing procedures, area maps, conservation initiatives and much more...

Volusia-Water-PublicWorksBook - Upload a Document to Scribd

For more information, visit The Volusia County Water Resources and Utilities site.

Foreclosures: Help for homeowners

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:15:00 +0000

There are several Federal and State organizations where cash strapped homeowners can get help in preventing or aleviating foreclosure. It is key to act sooner rather than later as most lenders' decision makers move at a snail's pace.

Homeowner Crisis Resource Center: The Homeowner Crisis Resource Center, run by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, can help borrowers get in touch with certified housing counselors. The toll-free number is 1-866-557-2227.

You can also ask foundation counselors questions about credit here.

FHASecure: Launched in August 2007, the FHASecure program is aimed at helping homeowners refinance certain adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs. Unlike the rules for traditional mortgages insured by the Federal Housing Administration, the program allows even delinquent borrowers to refinance if their delinquency results from an ARM resetting to a higher rate.

This program applies only to owner-occupied homes (no investors) with existing non-FHA ARMs that have reset since June 2005 or will by December 2009. The program is available to homeowners with mortgages under a certain dollar amount, which varies by region (for instance, the temporary limit is $729,750 for high-cost areas).

Hope Now: The federal Hope Now alliance represents 11 lenders servicing more than four out of five subprime loans. A significant part of the Hope Now effort is aimed at modifying loans by freezing interest rates at their current levels.

The plan was announced in December and is a voluntary effort by the private sector to address the national foreclosure problem. However, it targets a limited number of troubled homeowners.

To be eligible, homeowners must have had good payment histories, taken out their loans between January 2005 and July 2006, face loan resets that result in a payment increase of 10% or more and had a loan-to-value ratio of more than 97%. The program uses a direct-mail campaign to contact at-risk homeowners and encourage them to call the Homeownership Preservation Foundation's national hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE.

Center for Responsible Lending: The Center for Responsible Lending is a unit of the Center for Community Self-Help, based in Durham, N.C. Recognizing that lack of legal representation is an obstacle for families facing foreclosure, the responsible-lending center created the Institute for Foreclosure Legal Assistance, a project managed by the National Association of Consumer Advocates, which funds organizations that provide legal representation to families facing foreclosure due to subprime lending.

National Consumer Law Center: The National Consumer Law Center helps consumers, their advocates and policymakers to use consumer laws to build financial security and promote marketplace justice for vulnerable individuals and families. The center presents information about mortgage servicing and foreclosure prevention, offering a book and CD-ROM about foreclosure prevention.

Homeownership Preservation Foundation: The Homeownership Preservation Foundation creates partnerships with local governments, nonprofit organizations, borrowers and lenders to help families overcome obstacles that could result in the loss of their homes. It offers 1-888-995-HOPE, a national homeowner assistance hotline, to help individuals and families avoid foreclosure.

Foreclosure laws by state: This chart compares foreclosure timelines for all 50 states.

Source: msnMoney

Foreclosures in Spruce Creek, Daytona Beach and Port Orange

There are a few homes in Spruce Creek at different stages in the foreclosure process. Port Orange has several hundred homes listed as REO (Real Estate Owned) which means the lenders already took them over and are offering them for sale. Many of these homes are in fantastic shape at prices below replacement value. Contact KarlHaus Realty for additional information about REO's, short sales and pre-foreclosure deals in the Port Orange, Daytona Beach and Spruce Creek areas.

Daytona Beach Foreclosures

Port Orange Foreclosures

Ormond Beach Foreclosures

New Smyrna Beach Foreclosures

Ponce Inlet Foreclosures

Volusia County, Florida Property Tax Estimator

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:28:00 +0000

Property Taxes in Florida are an important consideration in estimating your total cost of ownership. In Volusia County there are several taxing districts; Municipalities such as Daytona Beach or Ormond Beach have their own millage rates. Properties in unincorporated areas of Volusia County usually have lower rates. The Spruce Creek Fly-in is located in unincorporated Volusia County.

Florida has a number of exemptions that you may be eligible for. There are several initiatives to reduce property taxes and that, if passed, will provide relief for many homeowners. Visit the Volusia County Property Appraisers Office for details.

Proactive Mortgage Measures by Southeast Banks

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Fri, 30 May 2008 21:26:00 +0000

Whether you have a home or are trying to buy a home in the Southeast, bankers in areas hard-hit by foreclosure are starting to listen to market pressure to provide a service people can afford. In places, like Florida, that had some of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation, bankers are becoming increasingly more proactive in helping people buy or keep a home. Some, like Riverside Bank in Cape-Coral-Fort Myers, are even knocking door-to-door on delinquent owners and offering interest rates of 1.99% on revised terms.

Why They Are Doing This

The reason for this is clear: Banks and lenders lose money on foreclosures. It’s far better for them to lose just a little money on an interest rate and keep you paying, than it is to lose the entire amount on their books. The banks and lenders have come to realize that people are struggling and will simply hand in their keys, a term that is now coined “jingle mail,” instead of paying their mortgages. In order to serve distressed areas best, they are being forced to offer creative financing terms that people can afford and some interesting new proactive planning on those that still go into foreclosure.

Were You Priced Out of the Market Before?

If you are one of those people who serve the public day-to-day in low-paying, but community-critical jobs like teaching or fire-fighting, banks want to talk to you. Like Riverside, many are now looking for buyers who earlier could not afford to buy, but now make their perfect customer base, due to falling real estate prices. They will offer attractive interest rates (make sure they are fixed) and special offers on foreclosed homes. There are even bus tours now set up by the local business owners to help sell these distressed properties. Just be careful to check out the inside, as the risk of damage to the home can be higher than one that is not foreclosed upon.

Spruce Creek High School: Top 100 in the Nation ! ... again

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Wed, 21 May 2008 15:00:00 +0000

Newsweek Magazine has again ranked Spruce Creek High School in the top 100 schools in the nation. The prestigious ranking is based on the number of International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement and Cambridge exams schools give compared to their numbers of graduates. This is the fifth year the Spruce Creek school has made the list. By scoring high on those exams, students can earn college credit for courses taken in high school.

All schools that made the top 100 are in the top 5 percent of public schools. The top 100 schools are selected out of the top 1,300 top U.S. high schools. The selection criteria also rates the schools on a "Challenge Index" reflecting research showing a strong correlation between the rigor of a student's high school courses to success in college. For 2008, Spruce Creek High School ranked 92 on the list.

Spruce Creek High School is the Volusia County public school designated for Spruce Creek Fly-in residents. For more information see Newsweek's Top of the Class.

See Port Orange School Ratings

KarlHaus Realty partners with Wet'n Wild to provide discount admission to Spruce Creek Residents

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:05:00 +0000

How do you stay cool during the summer? With water, of course!

KarlHaus Realty has partnered with Wet'n Wild at Universal Studios Orlando to provide specially discounted admission pricing to Spruce Creek residents. The popular park has long been a favorite destination in Florida to visitors worldwide. Wet'n Wild is about a 50-minute drive from Spruce Creek.

A day at Wet ‘n Wild with the entire family especially made for Spruce Creek Residents

Wet ‘n Wild has more for families to do together than any other water park in the area. Mom and Dad can relax and drift away on the lazy River or the Surf Lagoon wave pool, while thrill-seeking teens can experience the ultimate free-fall on the Bomb Bay or the Der Stuka. Little ones love the Kids’ Park with miniature versions of the park’s most popular adult rides – there’s something for everyone to do, no matter how young or young at heart you are! And if the family wants to spend time together, they can enjoy a wide variety of multi-passenger rides in tubes big enough to hold the entire family! With more than 400 lifeguards on duty every day, rest assured of a fun and safe day at this great water park.

A brief history of Wet ‘n Wild, the nation’s first water park

In the mid-1970’s, George D. Millay, founder of SeaWorld, left his successful marine-life theme park to concentrate his efforts on creating the world’s first water park, Wet ‘n Wild – Orlando. The park opened in 1977 and was the first in amusement history to feature participatory water activities and attractions. Today, Wet ‘n Wild – Orlando is owned by General Electric's NBC Universal and is one of the nation’s best-attended water parks.

Only about an hour away from Spruce Creek...

Located in Orlando, on International Drive, one block east of I-4 at exit 75A, Wet‘n Wild offers extended operating hours during the summer. The park is open year-round with heated pools in the cooler months. For additional information about Wet'n Wild call (407) 351-1800 or (800) 992-9453.

With the KarlHaus Realty Wet'n Wild Discount Coupon, Spruce Creek's special Single Day Admission pricing is $25.95, a full 35% discount from the Adult General Admission of $39.95. Special discounts for annual passes are also available to Spruce Creek residents. Contact KarlHaus Realty for details.

About KARLHAUS REALTY

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:23:00 +0000

The finest in real estate
A smarter way to buy or sell your property

KARLHAUS REALTY™ at the Spruce Creek Fly-in is a full service Real Estate Brokerage specializing in Florida luxury residential fly-in, golf and ocean properties as well as commercial and investment real estate. Based at the Spruce Creek Fly-in, the world's most exclusive fly-in community, we are only a few miles from famous Daytona Beach. Visit KARLHAUS REALTY™ for the latest news, insights and special deals in real estate at the Spruce Creek Fly-in, Port Orange, Daytona Beach and rest of Florida.

The Rules Have Changed

The Internet has become the hunting grounds for savvy buyers, and KARLHAUS REALTY has positioned itself at the forefront of this technology to capitalize on this trend. The advent of Web 2.0, social networking and viral marketing have drastically changed the way real estate is researched, bought and sold, making the market more transparent. With Karlhaus’ internet heritage, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) experience and technological expertise you can be assured your property will get maximum exposure worldwide. For Buyers, our proprietary searching methodologies along with trusted contacts in the industry assure premier access to many properties available but not listed in the regular MLS databases.

Old style marketing just doesn't cut it in the new world of real estate. The days of taking a listing, entering it in the local MLS, running a few ads in the paper and sit and wait for a buyer to come bring you a contract are over. In this new world, terms like SEO, Viral Marketing, and Web 2.0 are a foreign language to traditional old-style real estate companies. But these are key technologies that provide the needed worldwide exposure to put together Buyers and Sellers in today’s market.

While other real estate companies pretend these trends are not there, and stagnate along with their frustrated customers, KARLHAUS REALTY has embraced them thanks to its internet heritage. Our founder, Carlos Bravo, is a former internet executive that has founded and merged several wildly successful companies in the manufacturing, management consulting and technology arenas, including taking public the first Internet Applications Services Provider (ASP) ever. As a developer and private investor, he understands the challenges and opportunities in commercial and residential markets.

Worldwide Exposure

KARLHAUS REALTY™ has teamed up with Trulia® and Point2 National Listing Service® to provide you with the most powerful listing syndication engine on the web.

When you place a listing with Karlhaus your property will automatically be seen on our entire partnership network of over 80 sites, including Google Base, Yahoo Trulia and Craigslist. This means anyone conducting a search from any of our partner sites will see your listing. You will also have access to our search engine optimization, where your listings will receive top placement in not only National and Local markets, but the very important, International searches for the Spruce Creek Fly-in. Having a multi-cultural heritage, when an international buyer calls KarlHaus, we are likely able to speak in their native language, be it Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, German and others.

The pervasiveness of real estate information on the internet has created a phenomenom in which about 20 million people are browsing home listings each month

Google

Through its network of highly trafficked websites, Karlhaus has created an exceptionally targeted and cost effective marketing channel for property owners and agents to reach tenants and buyers.

More exposure means faster sell time at better price.

Your Expectations Deserve to Be Exceeded

We are, above all, trusted consultants. The foundation of our business model is a legacy from the marketing, management consulting and technology industries, where client's satisfaction determined our success. You expect the highest levels of performance, responsiveness and accountability. Your goals need to be partnered with knowledgeable, experienced professionals. Your property should receive maximum exposure in multiple markets, and most importantly, you require and deserve exceeded expectations.

Our advice comes backed by over 25 years of experience providing sound advice with integrity. While we follow the golden rule (“He who has the gold makes the rules…”), at Karlhaus:

We will never tell a client what he or she would rather hear if we don't believe that to be reality.

We will not enter into a client relationship if we know what is expected of us cannot be done in good faith.

We'd rather lose a sale than a friend. This is not just basic integrity, but also good business sense. Happy customers attract more customers, simple.

Someone once said: “If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don’t have integrity, nothing else matters.” That succinctly sums up our philosophy.

Spruce Creek Real Estate

Karlhaus Realty has partnered with, SolutionHaus Ltd, a marketing and management consultancy boutique and web developer. Solutionhaus is the creator of the popular online newspaper of the Spruce Creek Fly-in: The Spruce Creek Journal. The Spruce Creek Journal newslink has become the central online news source of the Spruce Creek Fly-in community. It includes the real time community calendar of events, timely articles, commentaries and the latest local news through its real time newsfeeds. The interactive site allows readers to post comments and also includes a community forum.

The Spruce Creek Fly-in information site is also run by SolutionHaus and is the internet gateway to the Spruce Creek Fly-in community. This site is visited by internet buyers from all over the world.

We at KARLHAUS REALTY™ at the Spruce Creek Fly-in not only sell the Fly-in lifestyle, we live it! Starting with our managing broker, who is not only an avid pilot, aeronautical engineer, real estate investor, developer and owner of multiple aircraft ( including one of the best WWII specimens in the world), he has made Spruce Creek his family's home. At KARLHAUS REALTY™ you have a real estate broker in the Spruce Creek Fly-in that actually resides in a hangar home and can talk first hand about Spruce Creek Fly-in real estate and great lifestyle.

Our Advertising production capabilities are second to none, learn more: Karlhaus Advertising in Spruce Creek

Make your voice be heard

We at KARLHAUS REALTY want to listen to you. Feel free to add your comments to any post in this interactive site. You don't even need to disclose your name if you don't want to (or, if you desire, just enter a fake name. The names of your college buddy in Iowa, or your aunt's in Topeka are time honored favorites...) Regardless, we truly welcome ideas to improve our site and technology model.

Jobs at Karlhaus Realty

We are actively recruiting technology-savvy experienced real estate agents. Our benefits include tuition reimbursement, a liberal bonus program and many exciting opportunities to prosper together. See the Jobs section for more information about joining our team.

How To Stage Your Home For a Quick Sale

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:28:00 +0000

You don’t have to invest a ton of money to make your home more appealing to potential buyers – a few tips and tricks might just do the trick. Here are seven steps to stage your home for maximum effect.

Step 1: Start outdoors

For homebuyers, the first impression starts before they even get out of the car, so make your front yard and walkway as appealing as possible. Plant some flowers, rake any leaves, remove weeds, paint the fence and porch—make sure everything is in tiptop condition.

Step 2: Clear the clutter

Put away knickknacks and any odds and ends that wouldn’t be in a model home. If you’re in a hurry, just stick them in your car, inside desk drawers, or in other places the buyers won’t look.

Step 3: Let the sun shine in

Open up your blinds and curtains; light makes a room look bigger.

TIP: Appealing aromas like coffee beans and freshly baked cookies make people feel at home and put them in a good mood. So put on a pot of good coffee and pop a roll of cookie dough in the oven.

Step 4: Pare down

Put extra furniture in storage and clear the kitchen counter of appliances like the microwave oven and toaster. Besides making your house look bigger, it will help prospective buyers picture their own belongings in your home.

Step 5: Throw around pillows

Steal a page from the home décor magazines: add throw pillows to make rooms look warm, comfortable, and inviting. And put soft, fluffy comforters on the beds, even if it’s summer.

Step 6: Make it less personal

Remove family photos and your kids’ artwork from the fridge. Homebuyers like to imagine what it would be like to live in the house; your photographs subconsciously prevent them from doing that.

Step 7: Splurge on fresh flowers

Put fresh flowers throughout the home. The sight and scent of flowers are proven mood boosters, which will help buyers look more favorably upon your home.

FACT: Industry surveys show that staging your home can make it sell three months sooner, and for 3% more!

The BIGGEST MISTAKES Home Sellers Make...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 19:13:00 +0000

Make no mistake; The current market is a Buyer's market for many price segments. High inventories, foreclosures, irrational fear, and a sharp contraction in financing availability have combined into a seller's nightmare. As trusted advisors, we will not sugar-coat a reality that stares at every one's face. Our advice to clients that come asking about selling their home is to wait. With the exception of homes in the higher price ranges, property values are drastically lower in these times of mass fear, be it real or imaginary. Properties in the mid and lower price ranges have suffered the most because of the reality that they led in the increases (as a percentage of value) during 2000-2006 and also because they represent the bulk of builders' over supply that has added to the high inventories.

In our local market, the Spruce Creek Fly-in and Port Orange areas, that number is around $750,000. Homes valued above that range have not had nor are expected to have the large declines of the other segments. However, all strategies of maximizing value are preempted by the needs of the seller. If you have to sell your home now in spite of the current conditions, you will benefit by following some guidelines to adjust to the market reality. Here are the TEN BIGGEST Mistakes home sellers make when selling their home in a tough market...

TEN Questions to Ask your Broker...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 18:33:00 +0000

These are tough times; run away from any broker that tells you otherwise. In the midst of the curent mess there are opportunities, however. Values have come down dramatically and in many cases they are below replacement costs.

Replacement cost is a key indicator of intrinsic value. As savvy investor Warren Buffett knows too well,

...if you buy below intrinsic value, you will eventually make money, no matter what.

It may not be tomorrow, but when something is acquired at prices below intrinsic value, the risk to the downside is much smaller than the potential upside.

For those that recognize opportunity when everyone else is running away here are the ten most important questions to ask your broker before making that offer.

Making An Offer They Can't Refuse...

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:57:00 +0000

When the demand for houses in a sizzling marketplace outweighs the supply of houses available, many consumers think the highest offer is a sure-fire way to claim ownership of their dream home. Similarly, in a panic-mode housing market such as the one we have right now, the old axiom “Analysis Paralysis” becomes an obstacle to getting the deal you want. While you wait for the prices to hit “bottom”, the savvy buyers snap-up the property you really want. The professionals at KARLHAUS REALTY™ know that bidding for a house doesn't always require upping the stakes and that the “bottom” is an ephemeral quantity as no one ever knows the bottom of a cycle until it has passed by. In the end, it comes to well-informed negotiation. Negotiation is not just offering less than the Seller is asking and waiting for a “yes” or “no”. Negotiation is a trade off of value, timing and intangible benefits between the two parties to arrive at equilibrium of terms that both are willing to accept.

Be Flexible

One tactic that works in any market is to accommodate the seller as much as you are able. As a buyer, you have to be flexible and willing to sacrifice a bit. Whether it's being willing to close one month earlier or later, do your best to meet the seller's desired closing time. Additionally, be willing to overlook the more minor and but less-than-perfect characteristics of a given home because other prospective buyers may not be able or willing to do so. If the seller is under pressure and wants the house sold quickly, they'll prefer to work with the buyer that can accommodate them the most.

Be Prepared

If you are willing to make the investment, then you must be a qualified, solid, desirable buyer. Get a copy of your credit report and settle any debts that may be outstanding. "You'd be surprised how many people get turned down for a loan because of an old debt they had forgotten all about." Get pre-approved for loans and mortgages. Sellers want and need a willing and able buyer, someone who is stable and ready to make a commitment to the property; and that after making the commitment, can carry it through to closing without problems. Going into the negotiation process as a pre-approved buyer puts you at a major advantage.

Connect with the seller

Create a rapport with the seller and let them know why you prefer their house to others. Homeowners are emotionally connected to their home. Even when selling their home, they often feel tied to the integrity of the house. They have likely spent a large portion of their lives within its walls. Often, fond memories of the family are interconnected to their home. Because the seller loves the house, they are usually inclined to sell it to someone who will love it too.

Clean, simple offers are best

Eliminating as many contingencies as possible will give you an advantage when involved in a bidding war. If you have a home to sell before purchasing, sell it first. Reducing uncertainty makes the buyer more appealing to the seller and will create leverage for the buyer.

Show them the money

Be willing to increase the size of your down payment or make an all cash offer. Sometimes the best way to win a bidding war and avoid paying a higher price is to increase your down payment. Sellers favor strong buyers, if you can afford to make an all cash offer, do so. That's almost always a definite way to slam-dunk a sale and it certainly does not preclude you from getting financing later if desired.

Work with the best in the business

Be sure to choose a sales associate who has an excellent reputation with other agents. Working with a KARLHAUS REALTY™ Associate who is known in the industry for their knowledge, integrity, professionalism, and credibility will always work in the buyer's favor. We at KARLHAUS REALTY™ at the Spruce Creek Fly-in not only sell the Fly-in lifestyle, we live it!

Get mortgage with zero points or pay points to buy down the rate?

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:04:00 +0000

When banks quote loans, they often include several rates with various "points". The term points has multiple meanings in the mortgage world. Mortgage points can refer to loan origination fees (fees charged by the underwriter) or discount points (also known as loan discounts). A point is 1% of the loan amount. Paying discount points allows you to "buy down" your interest rate. Consider points as prepaid interest. The tricky part is trying to identify the best deal among different interest rates and different points.

Points are only a good option if you plan to keep the mortgage long enough to gain from the lower finance charges - as the cumulative savings will eventually cover the additional cost of paying the points upfront - and then some. Often you will find that getting a "zero-point" loan works best for those looking to refinance or sell in a few years.

As a rule of thumb, for a typical 30-year mortgage, each point you pay up front is worth about 1/8 of a percent off your interest rate. Since these points are interest payments, they're usually tax-deductible.

Generally speaking, it takes about five to seven years to recoup the cost of paying a point upfront. Here's the math. Let's say you take out a $100,000 30-year fixed mortgage, and you have the option of either paying 6% with no points or 5 3/4% with one point. With the 6% mortgage, your monthly payment will be $600. And with the 5 3/4% loan, it would be $584, a savings of $16 per month. After about 62 months, or a little over five years, you would have recouped the $1,000 point you paid upfront. And then you would start to benefit from the lower monthly payments.

But you must also consider how you might otherwise invest that $1,000. If you can beat the taxable equivalent of your mortgage rate (about 8% in the example above for those in the 25% tax bracket) then don't bother paying points. Invest the money instead.

This calculator can serve as a guide to compare different loan rates and point options to find the best alternative.

Compare Average Home Prices Between Cities

noreply@blogger.com (Charlie) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 19:08:00 +0000

Try this handy utility based on the Trulia© database that allows you to compare the average home values and trends between any two cities in the United States.

Compare Home Prices Between Two Cities

Spruce Creek Fly-in Real Estate - Karlhaus Realty - Airpark Properties

Another Reason to List with Karlhaus at Spruce Creek

Karlhaus Advertising

Karlhaus Realty Record: 13 Properties Sold or Under Contract in less than 9 days!

About Karlhaus Realty...

What is This Home Worth? Use ValueMap™ for Quick Estimates!

Buying Foreclosures, Port Orange, Spruce Creek

Karlhaus Realty at Spruce Creek Fly-in launches map-based property search tool

Much more than just Map-based real estate searches

REO Services with KarlHaus Realty

Our REO services include:

REO Marketing

KarlHaus Realty's CEO Carlos Bravo appointed to the Technology Committee of the Daytona Beach Association of Realtors

Code of Ethics of the National Association of Realtors®

Real Estate at Spruce Creek

Spruce Creek Offers a wide range of Property Choices

Spruce Creek Properties

Taxiway Homes

Golf Course Homes

Nature Homes

Condos

Hangars

Vacant Lots

KARLHAUS REALTY, Your Spruce Creek Real Estate Experts

The Buying Process and the HUD-1 Closing Statement

Add Spruce Creek Real Estate News to your web site

Spruce Creek Water Service: Volusia County Welcome Booklet

Foreclosures: Help for homeowners

Foreclosures in Spruce Creek, Daytona Beach and Port Orange

Volusia County, Florida Property Tax Estimator

Proactive Mortgage Measures by Southeast Banks

Why They Are Doing This

Were You Priced Out of the Market Before?

Spruce Creek High School: Top 100 in the Nation ! ... again

KarlHaus Realty partners with Wet'n Wild to provide discount admission to Spruce Creek Residents

A day at Wet ‘n Wild with the entire family especially made for Spruce Creek Residents

A brief history of Wet ‘n Wild, the nation’s first water park

Only about an hour away from Spruce Creek...

About KARLHAUS REALTY

The finest in real estate A smarter way to buy or sell your property

The Rules Have Changed

Worldwide Exposure

Your Expectations Deserve to Be Exceeded

Spruce Creek Real Estate

Make your voice be heard

Jobs at Karlhaus Realty

How To Stage Your Home For a Quick Sale

Step 1: Start outdoors

Step 2: Clear the clutter

Step 3: Let the sun shine in

Step 4: Pare down

Step 5: Throw around pillows

Step 6: Make it less personal

Step 7: Splurge on fresh flowers

The BIGGEST MISTAKES Home Sellers Make...

TEN Questions to Ask your Broker...

Making An Offer They Can't Refuse...

Be Flexible

Be Prepared

Connect with the seller

Clean, simple offers are best

Show them the money

Work with the best in the business

Get mortgage with zero points or pay points to buy down the rate?

Compare Average Home Prices Between Cities

The finest in real estate
A smarter way to buy or sell your property