Pick up a bargain at expo
To serve as a forum for homeowners facing foreclosure and looking to sell their homes, and for real estate industry professionals who are involved in foreclosure-related transactions, the first-ever Orlando Foreclosures Expo will be held on February 7th to 8th, 2009...
The foreclosure crisis continues to affect everyone from homeowners and mortgage brokers to real estate agents and communities, especially in Central Florida.
A licensed Realtor who helps British and international clients buy and sell vacation homes in Central Florida, Phil Peachey is the founder of the Expo. He started buying and selling foreclosed properties in 2006 and quickly found it challenging to locate available foreclosed homes. This sparked the idea for an event that brings buyers and sellers in the foreclosure industry under one roof.
When the Orlando Foreclosures Expo takes place at the International Plaza Resort & Spa, it will bring everyone from estate agents and brokers, property attorneys and REO department representatives from banks to lenders, investors, wholesalers, builders and others in the foreclosure industry to the International Plaza Resort & Spa. The Expo will also allow homeowners in danger of foreclosure to list their properties and the minimum price they need.
Before the Expo begins, there will be a VIP breakfast where guests can get a preview of foreclosure listings prior to the general public. Also, a foreclosed home will be given away at the Expo.
The inaugural event will feature workshops conducted by experts on how to avoid foreclosure and what to do if you are facing foreclosure. The networking among professionals in the industry can lead to immediate transactions and future business, Peachey says. Investors will be able to find listings of foreclosed homes for as little as £12,600. For homeowners in danger of losing their homes to foreclosure, the Expo will give them access to a pool of several qualified buyers.
"The Orlando Foreclosures Expo was born out of the need for people in the real estate industry to promote their services to the public," Peachey explains. "This will be the first event of its kind where real estate industry professionals and the public can learn about the foreclosure industry, network and links buyers and sellers of foreclosed properties.
"Most people, even real estate professionals, do not have access to foreclosure listings or to the people who regularly buy and sell them. Wholesalers typically offer their foreclosure properties to a very select few. Also, most REO (Real Estate Owned) departments of banks will not deal with the general public," Peachey adds. "The foreclosure industry has been more like a private club where the public cannot obtain a membership. The Orlando Foreclosures Expo will break down those barriers."
Peachey says that the Expo has room for as many as 50 vendors. At the moment, 25 vendors have booked booths. The Expo is being sponsored by the Orlando Sentinel, Luxautica, Aston Martin, Orlando Magic and ICEBAR Orlando.
After this initial Orlando Foreclosures Expo is held, Peachey plans to organise similar events across Florida in areas like Tampa/St. Petersburg, Miami, Jacksonville and Tallahassee.
"There is undoubtedly a great need for an event like this," Peachey says. "It will benefit every professional associated with the foreclosure industry, and it will also help those people who are trying to avoid foreclosure."
Source: www.homesoverseas.co.uk/news