The Real Estate Orange » Buying Real Estate

The housing market in 2012: 3 predictions by Trulia

ellenwindheim — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:08:20 +0000

Delinquencies will go down, but foreclosures will go up. Fewer borrowers will fall behind on their payments next year, thanks to the strengthening economy and refinancings…..But many borrowers who fell behind on their payments during the housing crisis are still in limbo: That means that some delinquent loans haven’t yet entered the foreclosure process.

Rents will rise — which is a bad thing. With fewer people buying homes and more people losing their homes to foreclosures, the rental market is only going to get tighter .

Mortgage rates will inch up — which will probably be a good thing. A stronger economy will push Treasury bonds and mortgage rates up because inflation becomes more likely and investors demand higher rates to hold bond . .. Gradual economic recovery is good news for the housing market even if it means higher mortgage rates — We’ll have higher rates for a reason we can cheer.

Jed Kolko from Trulia made the above predictions: Kolko
“My crystal ball is never as crystal-clear as I’d like, but I do think that we can expect a gradual economic recovery to move the housing market a few steps back toward normal in 2012.”
Summarized from report in the Huffington Post

The Summit: 1201 S. Ocean Dr. 1005 N

ellenwindheim — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:37:46 +0000

We are happy to offer an exciting new condo for sale steps from the Hollywood Broadwalk, Florida.

2 Bedrooms/2 Bath
in a split plan layout,
over 1600 sq ft.
furnished and ready to move in.

Please call or email for more information, and stay tuned! We’ll be posting some more photos very shortly.

1201 S. Ocean Dr. Hollywood Fl unit 1706 N: Just listed

ellenwindheim — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:49:00 +0000

The Summit unit 1706 N

1201 S. Ocean Dr. unit 1706

The Summit is a fantastic oceanfront property, steps from the Hollywood Broadwalk, and we just listed a wonderful 2 bedroom/ 2 bath condo at the Summit for $389,000. At over 1600 sq ft,, this represents a renovated beach property for sale at under $250/sq ft. with amazing water views to the east (Hollywood Beach) and to the west (Intracoastal Waterway).

The kitchen is completely updated with stainless steel appliances, and the bathrooms have custom cabinetry. Not only is the unit fully renovated, it comes totally equipped and furnished!

Please email or comment on this blog for more info.

Incredible opportunity at The Summit on Hollywood Beach, Fl

ellenwindheim — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:42:23 +0000

Condo on the Beach

Now, you can buy a 2 bedroom 2 bath oceanfront condo for $279,000 or under $170/sq. ft. at this newly reduced price.

Unit 608 at the Summit has views of the intracoastal and the ocean, and is located steps from Hollywood Beach and the Hollywood Broadwalk.

The condo has

a split-plan
2 large master bedroom suites,
in unit washer/dryer,
hard wood floors,

and many, many amenities.

Without a doubt, best deal on the Beach!

1635 Weeping Willow Way, West Lake Village Florida 33019

ellenwindheim — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:33:00 +0000

About a mile from Hollywood Beach and the Atlantic Ocean is a charming gated community known as West Lake Village. And nestled right on the back of the Anne Kolb Nature Preserve, with mangrove trees shading the rear of the house, is a beautifully kept townhouse, with outstanding features, priced at $350,000.

this largest townhouse model encompasses 1759 sq ft on 2 floors
3 BR/2,5 bath: one of the BR’s converted to an office/loft
tile floors, black and white kitchen
screened-in courtyard w. ivy covered walls (very Tuscan!)
separate indoor garage + oversized driveway (good for 5 cars)
large master BR with walk-in closet
rolladen storm shutters
very bright, extra windows in the rear of house (facing nature preserve) w. views of lake

West Lake is a 24/7 secure community with wonderful amenities, including tennis and fitness center., whle the monthly maintenance fee is only $210 !

Click here for a virtual tour

Come visit our open house on November 15, 2009 between 2:00 and 4:00 pm.

For more information, about this townhouse or other great properties call Ellen @ 954-673-7136

Obama, Buffet and Me

ellenwindheim — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 19:25:04 +0000

So you’re wondering what do Warren Buffet, Barack Obama, and Ellen Windheim have in common? I recently received an email from a friend commenting on the success of many of my Columbia University alumni, including Buffet and Obama. Before contacting Warren and Barack with some fantastic buying opportunities in the South Florida real estate market, I thought I should verify their educational backgrounds. I had thought that Obama was a Harvard graduate, but it turns out my friend was right: Obama did go to Columbia for undergraduate political science studies.

And, in what must be one of Harvard’s worst admission decisions, Warren Buffet was actually rejected by Harvard, and attended Columbia Graduate School. As for me, I also went to Columbia University School of Business for my Masters in Business Administration.

Tenuous connections, you might think, for networking with these superstars: the richest man in the universe (still?)and the President of the United States? Maybe, but I’m still looking forward to the next Columbia Alumni mixer.

The Venture at Aventura, Fl: 18900 NE 29th Ave, Penthouse 16

ellenwindheim — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 18:42:59 +0000

I drive past the Venture condo development most days, on my way to EWM’s Aventura office, which is only a couple of blocks away, and I think how well situated it is, and if I lived there I wouldn’t even need to drive to work. The Venture is adjacent to Loehmann’s Plaza, Founder’s Park and Country Club Drive, with its jogging and bicycle path, and Aventura Mall, with all its restaurants, shops, and cinemas.

Aventura is known for its great schools, both public and private. And, located between Fresh Market and Whole Foods, the opportunities for food shopping are amazing. Not only can you find all these urban amenities at your doorstep, but the Venture itself has some pretty terrific features:

a South Beach-y pool area,
private screening room
complete fitness gym.
business & social rooms
split-plan layouts
sliding doors to large balconies

The Penthouse units are especially attractive, in that the ceilings are 10 feet high. Penthouse #16 has great water views, and can now be purchased at an amazingly low price. So come check it out! http://sef.mlxchange.com/Pub/EmailView.asp?r=972257349&s=SEF&t=SEF

Hollywood Beach Condo Sales: Is It Gloom & Doom or Hope on the Horizon?

ellenwindheim — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 00:33:45 +0000

We’ve all heard the expression “Numbers don’t lie” . but we also know that they can be used to prove different points of view, depending on the numbers you choose to emphasize and the point you’re trying to make. More than ever, professionals and consumer alike are being barraged by an onslaught of statistics, (we used to call them sadistics), including graphs, trend reports, etc— mostly telling us that inventory is up! prices are falling! sales are down!

But are there regional differences, or are all communities alike? Are there pockets of opportunity for the savvy buyers & sellers?

Using the graph as illustration, showing sales of waterfront condos in Hollywood, in particular those within the 33019 zip code, it is possible to focus on one area’s listing/sale ratios. Looking at the condo market priced between $250 to $600,000, I was surprised to discover that, although the average sales price had been trending down since last July, it had started to move from March/April in an upwards direction.

Does this mean the correction is flattening out, at least for this area, spelling GOOD NEWS for sellers, and a Call for buyers to ACT NOW.

To negotiate these murky market waters, it has never been more important to have the benefit of the expertise of a real estate professional. For further discussion on market data, please feel free to contact me at:

Ellen Windheim
windheim.e@ewm.com