I’ve just taken a look at RelocateAmerica’s 13th annual list of “Top 100 Places to Live”, and for the second year in a row, Oviedo was among the top 100 cities in the US. In deciding which cities make this list, RelocateAmerica’s editors looked for communities with strong potential for economic recovery and future growth. The editors at RelocateAmerica also looked for communities with, “strong local leadership, employment opportunities, thriving community commitment, improving real estate markets, growing green initiatives, plentiful recreational options and an overall quality of life”. Considering Oviedo’s proximity to downtown Orlando, great schools, major highways, 2 international airports, several colleges and universities and a plethora of shopping and entertainment options for all ages, it is not surprising that Oviedo’s population has grown by almost 46% since 2000.
Oviedo is an ideal bedroom community for folks who work in the greater Orlando area, but prefer to live in quieter, more tranquil neighborhoods. Easy access to downtown Orlando ensures that residents have convenient access to a multitude of recreational, entertainment and shopping opportunities, giving Oviedo residents the best of both worlds.
If you would like to find out more about Oviedo, I would recommend reading RelocateAmerica’s Oviedo community profile page.
Florida film buffs are in for a real treat starting. According to an article that I have just read in OrlandoSentinel.com entitled, “Film Sweet Film: Florida Film Fest promises more on its platter this time around”, the 19th annual Florida Film Festival got underway last night. This year’s installment of the annual Florida Film Festival is expected to have more films, more venues and more food.
In all, this year’s film festival will feature 164 feature films, documentaries and short films in every genre imaginable. Those who are interested in attending will be able to see these films at the Enzian, the Regal Winter Park 20, the Plaza Cinema Café downtown, and Central Park in Winter Park and the Lake Eola Bandshell in downtown Orlando.
Though most movies are shown twice, a good number of them do sell out, so if you are hoping to watch any specific movies, it is a good idea to get your tickets in advance. Tickets for individual showings can be had for $10 and there are package bundles available as well. To find out more about buying tickets and bundle prices, please visit the Florida Film Festival’s website at www.florida filmfestival.com. If you buy your tickets online, you can pick them up at the Florida Film Festival’s ticketing headquarters, the Enzian in advance. Tickets can also be picked up the day of the show at the corresponding venue (Enzian, Regal Winter Park 20, Plaza Cinema Café). Tickets can also be bought by calling (407) 629-1088 ext 225 but there is a $10 service charge, unless you are purchasing one of the more expensive bundles
With more than 160 different films and documentaries, there should be something for all ages and a wide variety of taste in film. If you have never attended the Florida Film Festival, you really should think about it, it is a great time for the whole family. So why not get your friends, significant other or family together and catch a few good flicks at the 2010 Florida Film Festival?
For more information, or to order tickets online, please visit the Florida Film Festival’s website at, www.floridafilmfestival.com. If you would like to read reviews of all of the movies before deciding which ones you would like to see, please click here.
According to an article that I have just read in the Orlando Business Journal online entitled “Orlando No. 1 on 2010 destination list”, Orlando has dethroned Las Vegas as the top destination for leisure travel in the US. This is according to a Travel Leaders’ Travel Trends Survey that was conducted between November 30 and December 13, 2009. This was the first time since Travel Leader began this survey in 2003 that Las Vegas was not in the top spot. Orlando ranked just behind Vegas in the number 2 spot last year. In terms of international travel, Caribbean Cruises topped the rankings.
It is not surprising to see Orlando at the top of this ranking when you consider that Orlando has got to be one of the most family-friendly travel destinations in the whole US. There is something for everyone in the family here in Orlando, and our beautiful tropical weather has always been a hit with northerners.
What impressed me most was the fact that Orlando saw this increase in tourism at a time when many folks in the US are spending less money on non-essentials such as leisure travel.
This is good news for the Orlando area, especially in light on our current national economic slump. Tourism is the mainstay of our economy so hopefully this will help us to get back on our feet sooner than some have expected.
Regardless of whether you were for or against the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers, you would have to agree that this incentive is helping many real estate markets across the country to bounce back, central Florida included. The tax credit has been so effective in helping to stimulate markets across that US that it has been extended and even expanded.
This tax break, which was supposed to expire on November 30, has been extended until April 30, 2010. And, whereas before this tax break was for first-time homebuyers only, it has been expanded to include a $6,500 tax break for homebuyers who have lived in their current residence for at least five years. The salary requirements for this tax break have been increased as well. Before, anyone who wanted to qualify for this tax break had to earn less than $75,000 individually or $150,000 for couples, now individuals can earn up to $150,000 per year and still qualify for the credit. Couples can earn up to $250,000 combined and still qualify for this tax break.
Just in Orlando alone, the $8,000 tax credit helped to triple pending home sales and increase sales contracts by 97% from October 2008 to October 2009. In Seminole County, home sales were 23.64% higher than in 2008.
If last year was any indication of the success of this tax break, we can bet that this new expanded tax break will help home sales rise all over the US into 2009.
September 5, 2009 – FYN Florida Friendly Landscape workshop for “Butterflies in the Garden” located at the Environmental Studies Center in Springs Hammock for more information on this event call 407.665.5575.
September 5, 2009 – Jazzed in Sanford at Magnolia Square kicks off its third season.
September 5, 2009 – Seminole County Fall Super Series Youth Tennis Tournament will be held at Sanlando and Red Bug Lakes Park, for more information on this event call 407.869.5966
September 12, 2009 – Lake Mary Farmer’s Market, located at Lake Mary City Hall, come out for fresh produce, baked fresh breads, cheeses, and much more…
September 18, 2009 – Fall into Fitness and Fun Party, located at 3581 Lake Emma Road in Lake Mary, free and fun for the entire family call 407.333.8069 for more information on this event.
September 19, 2009 – Lake Howell Restoration Project in Seminole County in Casselberry ,learn more about the environment and how you can make a t difference, call 407.665.2457 to register.
September 20, 2009 – Flamenco Fire, located at The Wayne Densch Performing Arts Center in Sanford, if you like Spanish music and dances clothed in authentic costuming do not miss out on the “Fuego Flamenco”
September 26, 2009 -3rd Annual Blues Review located at Central Park at Lake Mary City Hall in Lake Mary. For additional information on this family fun event call 407.585.1428 or visit the City of Lake Mary official website.
September 26, 2009 – “Fiesta del Coqui” at the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Sanford, this event if for all you frog lovers, come out and enjoy live music, local dance, crafts and activities. For more information visit the Central Florida Zoo website.
I was just browsing some websites when I ran across a trailer for a new documentary about the history of Lake Mary entitled, “Growing Home, The Lake Mary Story”. For a second I wondered why someone would actually make a documentary about a small and relatively unknown community such as Lake Mary. Then I watched the trailer and thought, what a great way to teach those of us who have not lived in Lake Mary all of our lives, a little bit about the history of this city we now call home. Sure, this documentary will only be 60 minutes long, which is nowhere near enough time to learn the history of Lake Mary, but from what I saw in the trailer, it will at least help us to get a better understanding of the values that have helped to shape this city. The trailer is short, only 2:14 in duration, but it was interesting to see some lifelong lake Mary residents talk about their beloved city and how it has changed in their lifetimes.
The Crawford Group, a Lake Mary-based production house and the Lake Mary Historical Society are partners in the production of this documentary, which is being funded entirely by community and corporate donations.
All donations are tax deductible and there are two ways to donate:
Donors can make donations through Pay Pal (No Pay Pal account needed)
Mail a check payable to Lake Mary Historical Society to:
Growing Home Film Project
122 North 4th Street
Lake Mary, Florida 32746
For more information, or to personally present your donation, please contact Mindy Matthews at 407-322-8888 or by e-mail at mindy@crawfordgroup.tv.
Corporate donors will receive recognition and promotional benefits at different levels including having their logos displayed in the video, on-camera appearances in the video, logo printing on DVD and packaging and mention in the film credits. For more information about the corporate program, please contact Mindy Matthews at 407-322-8888 or by e-mail at mindy@crawfordgroup.tv
For more information about donations, please visit http://growinghomefilm.com/donate/
Just about everyone who lives in the Orlando area knows about Isleworth. After all, it has been one of the most exclusive and prestigious, not to mention expensive, subdivisions in Seminole County for quite some time. This 300-home, master planned community near Windmere that sits in the Butler chain of lakes has some of the most expensive and prestigious real estate in Florida and is home to top sports stars, business moguls, politicians, actors and millionaires from all over the globe. The list of homeowners in Isleworth is a veritable who’s who of rich and famous celebrities and business tycoons who will settle for nothing less than absolute exclusivity. Some of the stars currently living in Isleworth include Tiger Woods, Grant Hill, Mark O’Meara, Ryan Longwell, Stuart Appleby, Shaquille O’Neal and Vince Carter, to name a few.
Thanks to the housing crisis of the past few years, homes in Isleworth are selling for about half of what they sold for just four or five years ago. Whereas the average price per square foot was about $500 a few years back, some homes in Isleworth have sold for as low as $200 per square foot recently, and those are the homes that are actually selling. About 15% of the homes in Isleworth are currently for sale including Minnesota Vikings Kicker Ryan Longwell’s 6,089 square foot mansion ($4.9 million) and Grant Hill’s Mediterranean-style estate home ($5.9 million).
But Isleworth is not the only luxury home community in the Orlando area where home prices have dropped to record lows, other developments near Isleworth are also feeling the effects of the national economic and housing crises. This means that if you have been waiting for home prices to drop in Exclusive gated communities such as Isleworth, the time to buy may be now.
If you are interested in finding out more about Isleworth or others master-planned gated estate communities, please contact me, Nick Burrafato. I can help you find the home that is the right for you, as well as help you get the best deal on your next luxury home.
