If you are a Kissimmee resident don't forget to celebrate Earth Day by participating in the Community Tree Give-Away.  This event has been schedule for Sunday, April 29, 2007, at Kissimmee Lakefront Park from 1 to 5 p.m.  Distribution of the trees will be take place on Ruby Avenue between Johnston Street and Lakeshore Boulevard.  Also remember to bring appropriate transportation as the trees will be in 7 to 15-gallon pots.While you are in the area also check out the 15th Annual JazzFest Concert.  If you want more information on any of these events, please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 407.518.2501 or visit http://www.kissimmeeparksandrec.com/ 04/25/2007

If you are a jazz fan or looking for something special to do this weekend, consider attending the JazzFest Concert happening on Sunday, April 29th from 12 to 7 pm in Lakefront Park.This free event will include not only music but also art displays and ethnic dishes for you to purchase.  It is a great opportunity to share a fun, culturally enriched afternoon with your family and friend. Keep in mind that all proceeds from the beverage and food sales will be put to work in the community through charities supported by the Rotary Club of Kissimmee West.If you want to get more information about this event, call the Kissimmee Park & Recreations Department at 407-518-2501 04/25/2007

Why not jump on board?  Home Depot must have ask themselves this question.  Now they are joining the rank of others who have invested in the Poinciana area.According to recent reports from Avatar, Home Depot have been approved by the Osceola County Commission for the development of a Home Depot retail center on 13 acres at the northeast corner of Poinciana Boulevard and State Road 17-92 in Poinciana. The site was purchased from Avatar Properties Inc. which is marketing 13 adjacent acres to developers for a complementary, family-oriented retail shopping center to better serve Poinciana's growing population.  The Home Depot will have 104,208 sq. ft. of indoor retail space, plus a 34,760 sq. ft. outdoor garden center. Construction of the Poinciana store will begin this SPRING with an openi... 04/23/2007

Hunters Creek is in between two counties in Florida --- Orange and Osceola Counties. It is a place that was developed in the 90s and was the HOT place to buy a home back then. Talk about location, location, location.....It is smack dab in between Disney and downtown Orlando. Lots of excecutives working for Disney lived in THEE HOT area back then --- Longwood;about 15 miles NORTH of where Hunters Creek is and another 45 minutes added to the commute to work every day.  LOTS of people flocked to Hunters Creek.... it has gated communities, condos, apartments, townhouses.... at one time it also had a fantastic park... but that was replaced by an apartment complex.      Homes start in the upper 300s and go as high as 600 to 700 thousand dollars.A sidewalk with park like street lights surround... 04/18/2007

Have you ever tried paying for a sellers inspection before it is palced on the market. This way you have an inspector pointing out the problems now so it can be fixed. Also if there is a major problem it can be pointed out in the seller's disclosure now. This way it takes away the surprise 2 days before you close. 03/30/2007

I just checked  this will be my 300th post!  Hard to believe that July 4th  I wrote my very first post. Back then that very first post I wrote here at Active Rain took me hours to compile, this post 20 minutes of my time, I just finished touching it up before posting!  I freaked out at the prospect of writing one post a week -- how did I get to averaging 1 a day?I cannot believe how far my own writing has come.  And that is just one of the many benefits I have gotten from my membership here at Active Rain.  It seems the secret to my success -- practice and great coaches!There have been many wonderful members who reached out their hands and helped me when I was just beginning and really struggling to write at all.  Their encouragement and willingness to assist me is what helped me overc... 03/22/2007

Hi,  My name is Molly Assad. I am a realtor in Puerto Rico. We are coordinating a fundraiser to help children with autism. We are looking for essays. The topic is "Why my mother is my hero!". We want as many submittals as possible from anyone. We will be binding the book and selling it locally to raise funds for speech and occupational therapy. If you ever wanted to be a published author now is your chance. Also we will be having the event to honor mothers on Mothers Day here in Puerto Rico in Isla Verde. The top ten essays will be honored that night and prizes will be given. The tickets are $50.00 each. One therapy. What you can do? 1) Submit essay. Make it a school project or family project to helpforautismpr@gmail.com 2) Spread this to everyone you know. The language is not important... 03/10/2007

$49 million later and Poinciana can now welcome their new high school schedule to open in August.  It will start out with guided tours in July.  It's new principal will be Gary Preisser.The new Liberty High School, whose nickname is the Chargers with it's school colors dark green and gold, was built on a 60-acre tract between Poinciana Boulevard and Pleasant Hill Road which was donated by Avatar Properties Inc.The school was built to accommodate 2,360 students from grades 9-12.  The building is 280,000 sq.ft which is facing Pleasant Hill Road features an open courtyard with its covered walkway on the perimeter.  The 3-story classroom buildings, consist media center, a 1,336 seat multi purpose gymnasium, 650 seat auditorium 485 seat cafeteria, art room, skills development computer labs, ... 03/04/2007

This beautiful resort BellaVida community is set amidst 20 lakes with homes for sale starting at $288,000.The townhomes will have HOA fees of $850 per quarter, the homes will be $700 per quarter and include all amenities, cable TV, reserves for exterior painting, roof repairs, insurance for common walls and trash removal.There is also an initiation fee of $1800.The beach style of BellaVida is reflected in the community clubhouse and pool a true vacation home setting.  BellaVida will have homes with barrel tile roofs, front porches and lanais.You can choose from two option packages for your townhome:a complete furniture package including patio furniture and screened poolTallpalms $49,280Sunrise    $43,060upgraded refrigerator, ceiling fans in all bedrooms plus living areaTallpalms $1480S... 02/27/2007

Soon, residents of Kissimmee will be able to tune in to local events and happenings in the area.  The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) gave the City of Kissimmee approval to launch it FM radio station.This station will be part of the City's government access TV Channel called Access Osceola.  Access Osceola is a partnership between Kissimmee, Oscoela County School District, Osceola County and Toho Water Authority, Kissimmee Utility Authority and Community Vision, Inc.Those who live and work within 8 to 10 miles of Kissimmee City Hall will be able to tune and hear information pertaining to special events, emergency updates for tornados, hurricanes, etc.The name of the station is WKOF and its FM frequency will be 93.7.  As to it's exact launch date, we just have to stay tune.  The ... 01/23/2007

Are You ready to leave winter behind you? Come to Florida!Osceola County is a fast growing area. With a population of 27,000 growth in this area is expected to double by 2020. Retail and commercial development along the Narcoosee Road area, Hwy 15 has sparked a flurry of new construction. The historic district is where you will find shops, restaurants, and streets named after a monopoly board. It is also where the best values in First time or retirement homes can be found.The median price for a single family home in Osceola County was 234,000. There are many available under that price, as an area specialist I have been leeping a close watch on our market and the latest reports show good sign sales will be brisker in the first half of 2007. So if you have been waiting, NOW is the best ti... 01/12/2007

Local Corvair Club and local Realtor -Finding balance in Community Goodwill and seeing how those efforts improve the lives for those special kids, year after year, the euphoric smiles on their faces, when we come with gifts and something special for them during the holidays makes the struggles we face in Real Estate day to day seem much more trivial to me. The Osceola Children's Home & Youth Shelter is a facility for Abused, Abandoned and Neglected Kids to seek a safe haven. The Greater Orlando Corvair Club and one of its founding members Allison Stewart of Florida Pines Realty have for years hosted a charity Corvair Show at Old Town in Kissimmee, Florida and helped raised funds for the home. Last year, we surprised the kids with a professional DJ, gift cards, duffle bags filled with it... 01/12/2007

According to reports in todays Sentinel, Pulte sued Osceola county over its procedure for its refund from school-impact fees in July.These fees are charged to new homes with the purpose of building new schools.  These cost are generally paid for by the builder and added to the cost of a home.  However Pulte pointed out that it does not add these cost on to each homeowner.Pulte was awarded $1.16 million in disputed impact fees.  This came after awaiting to see how many homeowners filled out applications for the refund.  There were 1,040 homes in questions.  However, only 180 response came back in which Pulte and the homeowners both filed for the money.  The 860 that only Pulte filed for translates into $1.16 million which the county will pay out within 14 days.Pulte has 90 days to add th... 01/10/2007

The Silver Spurs Arena played host to the world famous Lippizaner Stallions.  The dozen white horses performed before eager crowds recently at the Silver Spurs Arena.  This was the third year in a row that they performed here in Kissimmee.  Many of us hopes that their visits will continue.These special breed white stallions are originally from Austria and have been performing in the US for more than 37 years.  Behind Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and the Harlem Globetrotters, it's the third longest continuously running coliseum show in the world.These special breed are based in Oviedo and have traveled all over the U.S. and Canada as well as Great Britain.  They perform anywhere from five to seven shows each week for eleven months out of the year.Though the American version ... 01/07/2007

Kissimmee Utility Authority Board members approves a $2.5 million contract for substation construction.  The winning bid went to Terry's Electric, Inc for the construction of a new electric substation in Osceola County.The project will provide added reliability and meet the growing needs for electricity along the Pleasant Hill Road corridor of Kissimmee.  In recent years, the area has experienced load growth of nearly 28%.The construction of the substation is set to begin in February and expected completion by December of 2007.Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) was founded in 1901 is the sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric and telecommunication services to over 170,000 residents in five of Central Florida counties.  01/06/2007

CITY OF KISSIMMEE HOLDS SWEARING-IN CEREMONY FOR NEW MAYOR AND ANOTHER NEW COMMISSIONERThe City of Kissimmee will conduct a Swearing-In Ceremony for newly elected Mayor Jim Swan and Commissioner-elect Cheryl Grieb. The ceremonies will take place at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, during the last City Commission meeting scheduled for 2006.The Swearing-In Ceremony will be held in the Commission Chambers of Kissimmee City Hall.Mayor Swan will represent Seat 5 and Commissioner Grieb will represent Seat 4.Special recognition will be paid to outgoing Mayor Linda Goodwin-Nichols and Commissioner Wendell McKinnon.The Commission will also select the Vice Mayor and Mayor Pro Tem. 12/15/2006

 For 56 years Gatorland a Family owned and operated attraction stood as an Icon located on Orange Blossom Trail (17/92) in Kissimmee, Florida in Osceola County under the shadow of Disney, Universal, and Sea World. It is home to hundreds of animals, reptiles, snakes, and exotic animals.  It serves not only as one of Florida's oldest family run attractions, it also was educational and fun for so many of Osceola County's school children who visited Gatorland annually.  Sadly, as the sun rose the flames were shotting out of this famous landmark "like a fire breathing dragon" remarked one employee, with tears of emotion choking further comment. Gatorland employed 85-90 people. Entertained and educated thousands annually. It had shows and nature settings and even an alligator encounter. It IS... 11/06/2006

A professional appraiser is the best way to tell if a home is priced fairly. A real estate appraisal is an unbiased opinion of a property's value based on its style and appearance, construction quality, usefulness, and other factors, including the value of comparable properties nearby. When you apply for a mortgage, the lender will have a professional real estate appraiser perform an appraisal of the property. 11/05/2006

I really believe that the real estate market was extremely crazy with high prices.  At one time, I had many buyers, unfortunately, it was hard to find them affordable housing due to the fact that many investors as well as people who were willing to pay hight prices for homes dominated the market.  Now that there are an abundance of properties on the market, Analyst are predicting a sharp price cut.  With that in mind, I look forward to finding affordable housing for many of my buyers.... 10/01/2006