Remodeling Fever

We live in a spacious home in an old, established Orlando neighborhood. We don't want to move, partly because it would cost so much to replicate what we already have somewhere else and partly because the idea of packing all our stuff is just too daunting.

But our house is going on 40 years old, and it doesn't have all the bells and whistles we'd like. The kitchen and the bathrooms, in particular, are looking dated. And we'd love to have more closet space and a nice master suite like most new homes offer.

The answer, of course, is to remodel. We're still mulling over our options and haven't made any commitments.

But in this job I visit plenty of beautiful furnished model homes. And every time I do, I come away determined to move ahead on our long-delayed project.

Now, after the Parade of Homes, which concluded in early May, I'm getting the itch again. If you're in the same situation, you'll enjoy this issue of Orlando Homebuyer, with a department on the tribulations-and the rewards-of remodeling.

Our focus is especially on kitchens, since refurbished kitchens (and bathrooms) remain the most popular jobs that remodelers are asked to do. The conclusion is that there's a hassle factor up front, but the rewards, both psychic and financial, can be considerable if you choose the right remodeler.

Also in this issue, we'll look at the topic of home financing. Mortgage interest rates are creeping back up-although they're still near historic lows-but the loan products available are more diverse than ever. What's right for you? Our story will help you sort that out.

As part of our ongoing review of local hot spots, we'll visit Southeast Orlando, a vast area that was once mostly rural but is now sprouting subdivisions at a blistering pace. In fact, there's even a movement afoot to take this region, which is largely unincorporated, and create a new city that would dwarf "Orlando proper" in size.

Certainly, Southeast Orlando has all the elements a great city needs: homes, retail centers, major employers and such educational institutions as the University of Central Florida and Valencia Community College's east campus. And there are also expansive parks and beautiful nature preserves.

In addition, we shine the spotlight on the Orlando Regional Realtor Association. This organization, now more than 10,000 strong, has been a force for good in our community since 1921. We thought you should know about some of the terrific things it does, such as the Art in Architecture program, which offers beautifully designed affordable housing to low- and moderate-income families.

Plus, you'll find our usual array of useful features, including the Choices school directory and the most comprehensive listing of new-home communities that you can find anywhere, in print or online.

So, we hope you're enjoying your summer so far. And if you're house hunting, we hope this issue of Orlando Homebuyer makes the process a little less daunting.