Todays market has made it enticing for some to buy or sell a luxury home in Seminole or Orange County. You have started your search online, researched schools, areas and neighborhoods and are ready to delve into a purchase, but wait. A luxury home is one of the largest ticket items a family will purchase. Are you going to trust that to just any agent? You work hard for your money often times negotiating large purchase contracts or settlements for your clients, don't you deserve the same professionalism working for you? A professional who has additional education, not the required few hours in a classroom and a real estate license. One who has successfully negotiated contracts and listed properties in the top 10% of the Central Florida market. Someone who is a member of numerous organiz... 09/05/2008

 If you're not hungry yet, you will be after reading this post!If you like to eat (and really, who doesn't?), there are several fine establishments in Lake Mary that recently won "Best of Seminole" Restaurant Awards and were featured in the Fall 2008 edition of the Seminole Magazine.Considering I've lived in Seminole County and worked in the Lake Mary area for more than half of my life, I've been fortunate enough to enjoy most of the restaurants featured.Some of my favorites listed (and award winners too!) were:Ruth Chris Steakhouse, which won "Best Restaurant Overall," "Best Restaurant for Special Occasions," Best Romantic Restaurant," "Best Restaurant for a Business Meeting," "Best Service," Best Steakhouse," and "Best Overall By City" awards...wow, pretty impressive, don't you think?... 09/04/2008

Lake Mary, Florida bounced back this week!  There were no sales recorded last week in Lake Mary... This week there were 11!  There were 7 homes that sold in Lake Mary and 4 townhomes/condominium sales.  One of the townhome sales was new construction in Lake Mary Landings, a new community close to Seminole Community College by Taylor Morrison homes. The most expensive home sold this week in Carisbrooke a gated community just off Markham Woods Road.  This neighborhood features homes priced from $725,000 to almost $2 million.  Lake Mary, Florida Single Family Homes Sales  Sold Neighborhood Street Address Living Area Beds/Baths Pool $ 750,000 Carisbrooke 1738 Brackenhurst Place 4,145 4 / 3.5 Y $ 420,000 Timacuan 706 Musago Run 3,046 4 / 4 Y $ 295,000 Greenwood Lakes 533 Birgham Place 2,173 ... 09/04/2008

FIRST TIME HOME BUYERS WORKSHOP Saturday, September 6, 2008 10 - 1 PM Are you thinking about buying your first home or have questions about down payment assistance? Well, this is the Workshop for you. This class is free of charge and we will be offering an answer and question session. Soft drinks will be provided. We will discuss Nehemiah and SHIP Down Payment Assistance Programs for both Seminole & Orange county, in addition to the City of Orlando. You will meet with Professionals in the field of homeownership and lending to discuss the process, how to purchase a home with little to no money down and get qualified for these programs. List of bank owned properties will also be available at this event. Don't miss this opportunity. When: Saturday, September 6, 2008 from 10am - 1 pm Where... 08/31/2008

  Friday Night Lights... It's that time of year again...  When the temperature starts to cool,  ok... ok... I know I'm getting ahead of myself, we have plenty of wonderful warm weather ahead of us in Central Florida, but it's time for FOOTBALL! I love football...I grew up in the Seattle Area watching Jim Zorn and Steve Largent play for the Seattle Seahawks (there's a blast from the past).  These days I enjoy the Florida Gators and Ohio State Buckeyes on television.  But nothing beats one of my favorite fall activities... attending High School games with my friends.  I already have my seat cushion ready... Do you?     Lake Mary High School Football Schedule 2008   Friday September 5th Lake Mary at Boone 7:30 PM  Friday September 19th Hagerty at Lake Mary 7:30 PM  Friday September 26th L... 08/30/2008

Your Pool will Sparkle all the time with Aquaworks Pool Cleaning Service.   Specializing in Weekly Service, Chemical Only and Clean Ups! Relax and let a Professional take care of your Pool. You'll be glad you did!! Experienced and Dependable! Call Phil Direct at 407-358-9486 for more information and a price quote! 08/29/2008

It's easy understand why Central Florida residents like Seminole County.  We are close to the beaches, have a fantastic public school system, a wide variety quality housing options, Hospitals and business diversity.  As a Lake Mary resident it came as no surprise when Money Magazine voted Lake Mary as the 4th best city in the US to live.  A good way to describe the area is that "everything seems close." Sometimes it is okay to not be "so close."  I do like to get away, now and then, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors that we all brag about.  In the later part of the year my attention is split slightly from Real Estate and fishing to thoughts of Dove hunting. I guess it can still be called a "Southern Tradition".  Dove hunting interests me in that you can eat BBQ, sit side by side in the f... 08/29/2008

I've checked and double checked... There were no sales in Lake Mary, Florida last week... Why?  We were in the midst of Tropical Storm Fay and although we suffered very little damage, insurance companies do not issue new policies when the State of Florida is under a storm or hurricane warning.  Without an insurance binder, you can not close.  Also, many times the buyer's lender will put a hold on funding the loan until the appraiser can make a return visit to the property to make a visual inspection for any damage.  I had a closing rescheduled from Wednesday of last week to this week for just that reason...  Lake Mary was very fortunate to weather the storms with very little damage. Check back next week for the latest on What's Selling in Lake Mary, Florida. *Data derived from the Mid F... 08/26/2008

Homes up for auction!!!! Ready to bid on your next home? I have homes listed from Lake Mary to Orlando all available for bidding online. That's right you have the opportunity to bid on these homes just like you do on Ebay. So how does this whole bidding thing work? Glad you asked. Here's how bidding works: * It's an "online, real time" format, visit my auctions here. * When you place a bid, you enter the maximum amount you're willing to pay for the property. The seller and other bidders won't know your maximum bid amount. * Our system places bids on your behalf starting with the next bid increment for the property. It will bid as much as necessary to make sure that you remain the high bidder (or to meet the reserve price, if there is one). It will keep bidding for you until bidding rea... 08/25/2008

Your Pool will Sparkle all the time with Aquaworks Pool Cleaning Service. Specializing in Weekly Service, Chemical Only and Clean Ups! Relax and let a Professional take care of your Pool. You'll be glad you did!! Experienced and Dependable! Call Phil direct at 407-358-9486 for more information and a price quote! 08/21/2008

Ok we have all had issues with our A/C unit or plumbing and for one reason or another rather not call the professionals to come, whethers it's cause they are going to charge us for a simple answer or whatever.   Well here is the solution go visit ARS Blog site and ask the professionals for free. They are located all across the US and have experts in plumbing and HVAC systems waiting to answer your questions. I think this site is an invaluable resource for us and our clients. Wouldnt you look like a hero if you suggested this site to one of your clients.   I hope that you continue to come back to my blog or click to subscribe to my RSS feed For information on buying, selling, or auctions in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County, new construction, bank owned, short sale and f... 08/19/2008

Most Realtors have wondered how Homestead Portability works so I can only imagine most home owners would like to understand this as well. So I will do my best to explain how our local government is going to utilize this portability.   Portability is the ability to transfer the "Save our Homes Savings" you have accumulated on your homestead property to a newly designated homestead property. Below are some examples of how Portability is applied when upsizing and downsizing your property. PRIOR HOME                                      UPSIZING                                    NEW HOME                     Moving to a home of equal or greater value   Market Value:      $200,000                                                        Market Value:       $400,000 Assessed Value: - $125,000  ... 08/19/2008

What's Selling In Lake Mary? 5 Properties Sold During The Week of August 10 - 17, 2008 in Lake Mary, FLorida 3 Single Family homes sold in Lake Mary last week, 2 homes in The Crossings and 1 home in Woodbridge Lakes.  The home in Woodbridge Lakes was an REO Property, a foreclosure that was owned by the bank and 823 Tomlinson Terrace was a short-sale/pre-foreclosure home in The Crossings. Two townhomes sold in Lake Mary last week, Heron Bay in Greenwood Lakes a gated community of townhomes and Chase Townhomes in Chase Groves also a gated community.   Sold Neighborhood Street Address Living Area Beds/Baths Pool $ 272,500 Woodbridge Lakes 728 Pickfair Terrace 2,393 4 / 3 N $ 240,500 The Crossings 823 Tomlinson Terrace 2,100 4 / 3 Y $ 212,500 The Crossings 337 Alba Lane 1,542 3 / 2 N $ 170,... 08/18/2008

I am currently without a warm blooded companion. I have always had a cat since I was 5. It was my kindergarten graduation present. I was told that if I did really well in school my parents would let me get a cat. I still remember picking out my cat. I couldnt wait for the weekend after school. We went to the pet store I know really bad now but that was the early 80s. Anyways it was this cute little orange and white kitten scrunched all the way into the corner of the glass sleeping. Everyone else was playing but I wanted him. The worker had to climb into this huge glass case they had to get him out. He kept asking are you sure you dont want one of these other ones. I thought no I want the one that others might not want. Needless to say that cat turned out to be one of the best cats that ... 08/18/2008

Now that I've gotten your attention, put down your boxing gloves and your weapons...my title line is NOT seriously intended to start a real fight or encourage such between us or our children. The real purpose of this post is to congratulate my youngest son, Konnor, who tested for and earned his yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do today! Konnor has been taking Tae Kwon Do classes twice a week at the      J. Douglas Williams YMCA in Lake Mary for the past three months and was invited to attend belt testing ceremonies today. To be given the opportunity to test, Konnor had to demonstrate his technical skills and knowledge of the art, but he also had to earn stripes for education, community service and respecting his parents...all of which he worked for over the Summer. Last night he was excited, thi... 08/16/2008

At the end of the month, the Albertsons in the Colonial Town Park plaza (just outside the North gate of Heathrow) will be closing it's doors. As I was leaving the office tonight, I stopped by to pick up a coffee from the Starbuck's inside the grocery store and found every wall and ceiling plastered with "Everything Must Go" signs. It seems as though everything in the store truly is on sale...some items are marked at a 20% discount, while other items are 70% off.  Interestingly enough, even the Liquor Store, which is attached to the grocery through a separate entrance, also has the same advertisement signs on the walls & ceilings!         According to the clerk in the Liquor Store, the Albertsons store is scheduled to officially close at the end of August and will re-open as a Publix in ... 08/14/2008

Are you looking for fresh local produce?  You'll find it Saturday mornings from 8AM - 1PM at The Lake Mary Farmer's Market.  Area residents can purchase fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables and help support the local economy.  Nothing beats ripe tomatoes fresh from the vine, one of my favorites sliced with salt and pepper or handmade breads fresh from the oven. There are a wide variety of vendors that include:  Tropical Plants, Orchids, Soaps, Teas, Coffee, Scones, Wheat Grass, Homemade Pastas and so much more. I hope to see you there!  The Lake Mary Farmer's Market is held at the City Hall, located on the Northwest corner of Lake Mary Boulevard and Country Club Road, 2.5 miles East of Interstate 4.  Licensed Real Estate Professional, ALHS, e-PRO @ 407.758.1020 or Debbie@CasAndDeb... 08/13/2008

There is no denying it. It's hot in Lake Mary, Florida...and not just figuratively...but literally too! Today, it was 96 degrees when I left the office for a noon appointment. As I was climbing into my car and cranking the air conditioning down to 68 degrees just so I wouldn't melt like the bad witch in the Wizard of Oz, I was thinking about how grateful I am to have a pool home to enjoy on days like today. This Summer, my boys have really appreciated having a pool too! If I would let them, they would swim all day! As a family, our favorite time of day to enjoy the pool is in the early evening....it's still hot out, but not so hot that you need to worry about loading on the sunscreen! Just in case you are wondering, there are 364 single family homes for sale in Lake Mary and of those, 1... 08/12/2008

Are you looking for a top rate butcher in Seminole County? How about in Lake Mary? Then look no further then B & P Meats. B&P Meats of Lake Mary opened on October 4, 2007.   Located at 101 N. Country Club Rd. Suite 126 Lake Mary, FL Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM Sat 9AM-4pm Sun- 11AM-4PM     They specialize in fresh cuts of beef, pork, poultry, lamb, veal, lunch meats and cheeses. All of their steaks and chops are cut fresh daily. How about the best sausages ever, made in-house (Sweet Italian, Hot Italian, fresh Kielbasi, Breakfast Sausage, English Bangers). Thought about having a pig roast but have no idea where to get one from? Stop by B & P Meats in Lake Mary available sizes 25-100+ LBS. Hormone free and gluten free products are sold here. Client Testimonials: "The 3 potato salad is totally addi... 08/12/2008

What's selling in Lake Mary?  3 homes sold during the week of August 3 - August 9, 2008 in Lake Mary, Florida.  Three popular Seminole County communities had sales this week:  Magnolia Plantation, Heathrow and The Crossings.  Lake Mary, voted the #4 City to Live in by Money Magazine in 2007 is a favorite among many Seminole County residents, with top rated schools, shopping, restaurants and an easy to commute to dowtown Orlandoand all areas of Central Florida... you may want to consider Lake Mary as the location of your next home. Quick Market Facts:  Sold Neighborhood Street Address Living Area Beds/Baths Pool $ 729,000 Magnolia Plantation 1625 Shadowmoss Circle 4,070 SF 5 / 4.5 Yes $ 620,000 Heathrow 1462 Clearwater Court 3,600 SF 4 / 4 Yes $ 199,900 The Crossings 553 Holbrook Circle ... 08/12/2008