I absolutely LOVE food.  I'm not sure love is even a strong enough word for it, but I immensely enjoy savoring good food and plan my day around this act of mastication.  Pre-career I had time to indulge in cooking at home.  That was a different time in my life and I find myself being exhausted at the end of the day and not wanting to deal with preparing a meal, so I find myself picking up food from restaurants on the way home instead.I have lived here for around 17 years at this point, which is long enough to at least get your feet wet in exploring Gainesville's culinary offerings.  I'm quite fond of "Mom and Pop" operations and less interested in chains, as you will see by my list below.  These are some of my favorite picks in Gainesville:Favorite Sushi place (yes Dragonfly is good too... 03/14/2008

I receive quite a few inquiries from out of town buyers that are considering moving to the Gainesville area. What is most fascinating is the fact that these buyers hold interest for this area, yet they don't know much about it - much less what the area looks like. Most of these buyer's want to move to Florida and be in an area that has a University, which keeps the town progressive, eclectic and interesting. Others have read something on the internet (or heard on the news) about how Gainesville, FL has been ranked the #1 city in the nation to live for 2007 and want to see what is so great about us anyway! Other than currently having one of the lowest unemployment rates in the state and a relatively stable economy, A-rated schools, great food, and all the big town amenities with a small ... 03/14/2008

This past weekend I was attracted to the annual Spring Promenade, which is a fundraiser for the Thomas Center gardens in Gainesville. The center sold tickets to tour six historic houses in the Duck Pond area. After seeing the first home and walking around at a snail's pace due to the crowd, I decided that it would be more fun to simply photograph some of my personal favorites in the neighborhood instead. Here are a few photos from my stroll:           03/10/2008

Finally some good news coming from the National Media.   A recent article on CNNMoney.com is very informative with regard to home values across the country.  The main theme in the article is EXCELLENT NEWS! Our current market now is giving homebuyers the best buys they've had since 2004 !! I have been shouting this from my soapbox, website and blog site....and finally the national media is starting to pass along good news to prospective home buyers. The condition of any real estate market is "Localized" and our market here in Gainesville should not be compared with markets in South Florida.   We have much more stability here, and this map shows which areas have been the hardest hit in the country.   It's a great time to be a buyer !   And it's easy to do! First, get yourself a Buyer's A... 03/05/2008

How close can you guess: where in Alachua County is this property?I have driven by this property a hundred times and thought to myself, "I wish I had my camera!"  HINT: it is not on the side of some hidden dirt road. I was also amazed to discover that someone actually lives here. Just as well, it probably would have disintegrated if left vacant.  I'd love to see a professional photographer get up close and take some black and white shots. This house seems very floridian, to me. I added a couple more pics of the opposite side of the road.   03/04/2008

It's March 1st and for Gainesville, that means the GATORNATIONALS are coming ! Our Gainesville Raceway is the proud home to the SEASON OPENER for the NHRA Racing Season.  March 12th -15th will be a thrill event with 4 days of packed events.  Tickets are on sale now!   And you can't get a hotel room in this area as the race teams will start rolling into town a week before the event begins!  Loyal race fans book their hotel rooms a year in advance! The Gainesville Raceway has a rich heritage of the NHRA. Gainesville Raceway opened in 1969 and held its first Gatornationals event in 1970. The Gainesville Raceway is proud to be known as one of the fastest tracks on the NHRA circuit, it was from this, legendary launch point that drivers clocked the first 260-270- and 300-mph Top Fuel runs. It... 03/01/2008

Here, in Gainesville, we aren't spoiled with sunsets. It is flat and there are tall trees that mask the horizon from almost every point. As a result, it is almost necessary to make an effort to see a sunset in all its glory. Luckily, I was visiting my parents' in Keystone Heights, about 45 minutes away, and happened to have my camera when I was witness to this view! 03/01/2008

I attended the monthly GATORREIA (GATOR Real Estate Investor's Association) meeting this Wednesday in Gainesville. I estimate approximately 40 people were there in total. It was the second part of a four-part series about buying foreclosures. The speaker of this segment discussed the options available to homeowners in foreclosure. I'm pretty sure he found his material directly from the HUD (US Dept. of Housing and urban Development) and FHA (Federal Housing Administration) websites. There is a lot of good information on these sites, so I've included links here: HUD: Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure FHA: You Can Avoid Foreclosure and Keep Your Home  02/29/2008

Does anybody know where this house is (in Gainesville), or wanna guess?  I needed to waste some time before meeting with a listing agent the other day and so I took a cruise around some neighborhoods. Some people like looking at birds, or plants, etc.. Well, I'm likely not alone in this group, but I definitely enjoy looking for cool properties just for fun. Have you seen this one? 02/22/2008

Link for Buyer's Guide to Survival Part 1                                                                              I know a lot of first-time home buyer's aren't sure how much money they are going to need in order to purchase a home, condo or townhouse.  I have put together a handy guide to hopefully clear up some of the costs associated with buying a home.  The figures I am using are ESTIMATES, so do not hold me to the penny.  Furthermore, I am not a lender so the information regarding down payment and lender expenses is, again, estimated to give you an idea.  When considering purchasing a property, you need to speak with a lender before you begin your search.  They will give you a clearer understanding of the costs associated with the loan.  When not purchasing a property with cas... 02/20/2008

I work with a lot of first time home buyers that I educate to understand what they need to do in order to purchase a home.  I figure there are quite a few people out there that are sitting on the fence as they don't really quite know where to start, what kind of money they need to save, and what it takes to get to the point of fully owning a home.  I have put together a guide for the basic things you need to know in order to begin your home buying journey, and some basic home buying etiquette:   1) GET PRE-QUALIFIED: Speaking with a lender is paramount if you're considering buying a home.  There are hundreds of loan programs out there for you to choose from, and it is the lender's job to show you the best options for your budget and income.  It is extremely important to know 1) IF you c... 02/20/2008

There's a group of people here in Gainesville that are truly dedicated to getting books back into the community at reasonable prices and at the same time, earning extra monies for the Alachua County Library District. This group began over 50 years ago and has grown over the years into a dynamic organization of people who move hundreds of thousands of donated books through the facility annually and get them back into the community and monies to the library.  All the folks are volunteers - no paid personnel. The Friends of the Library is a group of dedicated volunteers that pull together  TWO sales per year at their "Bookhouse Headquarters" at 430-B N.. Main Street in Gainesville.  The Spring and Fall Book Sales earn money for library support and programs.  The proceeds from these sales g... 02/16/2008

This is an awesome investment strategy, especially for real estate professionals! Did you know that you can invest your IRA funds into LOCAL real estate? There are multiple ways to do this and you could do it any where in the country. That being said, the way our program works goes like this: 1. We find distressed sellers, right here in Gainesville, who are willing to sell their property at a discount. 2. We use private lenders (that could be you) to give us the funds to buy these properties and their money is SECURED by a mortgage against the property. It's that simple. We pay 10% for mortgages with a loan-to-value of 65% or less. So, your money has limited exposure to a fast drop in equity. 02/16/2008

 When you interview Real Estate Professionals, the question of commission should be secondary to "What valuable services are you going to provide for me?"  These services cost money and no one works for free.  Remember, you really DO get what you pay for.   And in the information age, your top priority should be how active your real estate representative is on the INTERNET.Here is a link to just ONE source citing how crucial internet exposure is to selling your home: http://www.brokeragentnews.com/news/residential/2007_2/2_19_2007_yb_1171947893.htmlIf you do a search, you'll find the results staggering.  Make sure that when you cement a relationship with a real estate practitioner that your listing is going to be put into various websites (including but not limited to sites such as a br... 02/14/2008

I have frequent requests from out of town customers, who are thinking about relocating here, about where to play golf.  I thought I would share some helpful links and locations for people interested in golf or even golf course communities:                  Where to play GOLF in Gainesville? The link below covers all the basic information for the golf courses in Gainesville.  UF golf course is the only one that is not a community, and of course the Gainesville golf practice center: http://www.gogainesville.com/golf.htm Click on the neighborhood name to view their website! Turkey Creek is a very nice neighborhood with homes and patio homes.  Meadowbrook is primarily attached units and patio homes with a few stand alone homes. Gainesville Golf and Country Club There is a tennis facility an... 02/09/2008

                                                         The media is abuzz with tales of doom and gloom in the real estate market.  So why do you want to buy NOW?  When interest rates are at near historic lows, inventory is higher and prices have come down, we are in a buyer's market.  There are fantastic loan programs right now for qualified first time home buyers with up to 100% FINANCING with a low, fixed interest rate for 30-years (The Florida Bond Program).  FHA loans are available for owner-occupants and are 97% financing, only requiring a 3% down payment or less!   Gainesville has an incredibly low foreclosure rate.  We have the University of Florida, Shands Hospital and the VA, all of which bring employment opportunities and shield our local economy from the same fate as some o... 02/07/2008

This years Katsu Challenge is Coming!  Make plans to attend this Traditional Karate Tournament here in Gainesville!  Our 2007 event hosted over 200 athletes from Florida and Georgia.  Please visit their website for Registration Information if you plan to compete.There will also be a separate kids area including a bounce house and other activities.  This area is free for all kids in attendance. It will be a great spectator-family fun event!Sunday, March 30th 2008 University of Florida - Stephen C. O'Connell Center Gainesville, FL USAIf you want more information about our local athletes you can learn more about our Katsu-DoJo.  My son has been a karate student for 4 years there and I am a happy "Karate mom". This event is sponsored by the Florida Sport Karate League  and other platinum sp... 01/30/2008

I am firm believer that if you Don't Vote, you are NOT allowed to gripe.  For us here in beautiful Florida, the Amendment #1 VOTE is very important issue.  So even if you have the blahs about the presidential race, please get out and MAKE YOUR OPINION KNOWN on Amendment #1.  For those in the City of Gainesville, there is a commission race, so please go cast your vote for that as well. And speaking of the City of Gainesville, sorry for the late notice - so please be aware of this City Commission Meeting ! City Commission Meeting Tonight!Please make plans to be and speak at the Gainesville City Commission Meeting TONIGHT, January 28th at 5:30. At this meeting, the City Commission will entertain the first reading of an ordinance that will require every home in the city of Gainesville to ha... 01/28/2008

I have a wonderful selection of Condos and Townhomes in the NW and SW areas of Gainesville that are SUPER convenient to anyone needing to be at the University of Florida or the Shands Hospital network. UPDATED on March 2009 Whether you are an undergraduate that will be here for a few years, or a serious graduate student in Law School, Dental School, Medical Schools, or the VET School at UF; here is a nice selection for you to see. You may be a hard working professional that is coming to Gainesville for their career goals, you may not want to be mowing lawns or worrying about who is taking care of the pool.....so you need a townhome or condo here in Gainesville. It's a Great Time to Be A Buyer! Currently, there are 922 condos/townhomes for sale in the Gainesville Multiple Listing Service... 01/16/2008

When you decide to sell your home, you want the highest possible return from its sale. Determining price is the most critical step in preparing your home for sale. Obviously, pricing your property too low won't provide the best return. You may be deluged with lookers and (in a hot seller market) may get many offers, but you could lose thousands of dollars on your family's largest investment. Likewise, pricing a property too high is risky. Homes priced too high miss their target market. Qualified buyers who might find the home just right for their needs won't see your home, or make an offer on it, because it is out of their price range. If they are shown an overpriced home during its early marketing stages and do not buy because it isn't a good value, they are unlikely to revisit your ho... 12/12/2007