Why REALTORS Are To Blame For The Housing Crisis - 02/28/08 01:44 PM
I don't watch the local news, but last night I saw a "teaser" for a segment on WESH Channel 2 News regarding the housing CRISIS, well they got me... I had to see it. 
I just watched as Rick Sharga of REALTYTRAC "a foreclosure expert" talked about the reasons why we are facing record levels of foreclosures and REALTORS are a contributing factor.  According to Rick, we didn't advise buyers to purchase homes they could afford because we wanted wanted to make bigger commissions.
Seriously?
I have my own feelings about REALTYTRAC a service that you pay for to get foreclsoure leads that are FREE public … (101 comments)

1340 Holly Glen Run, Apopka - NEW LISTING - $315,000 *Amazing Kitchen & Tropical Backyard Paradise* - 02/27/08 06:38 PM
JUST LISTED - Fabulous home in Gated Cameron Grove in Seminole County (Zoned for the top Seminole County Schools).
OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY & SUNDAY - MARCH 1ST & 2ND FROM 1 - 4 PM! 
 
1340 Holly Glen Run, Apopka 1340 Holly Glen Run, Apopka, FL 32703 View Map ***OPEN HOUSE THIS SATURDAY & SUNDAY- MARCH 1st & 2nd FROM 1 - 4 PM*** This is not just another "cookie-cutter" home - upgraded features throughout and a SPECTACULAR KITCHEN that you just don't see in this price range. Private Gated Community with Apopka address located in Seminole County, Zoned for Seminole County … (0 comments)

Orlando Ranked No. 9 by Forbes Magazine: America's Fastest-Growing Large And Small Metros - 02/25/08 07:03 PM
  
Good news for Orlando...
Forbes has ranked Orlando the 9th Fastest Growing Large Metro City in the Country.  According to Global Insight, Orlando is expected to have 2.9% annual job growth between 2007-2012, leading the Country in a tie for first place with McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, Texas.  The continued job growth and influx of new residents will have positive effects on the housing market over the next few years. 
Considering a Move to Central Florida?
Do you want to  Buy or Sell a home?
Contact Debbie Summers, REALTOR®, ALHS, e-PRO, RE/MAX Central Realty
Please contact Cas and Debbie for all of your real estate needs in Seminole County, Lake Mary, Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, … (0 comments)

Altamonte Springs, Florida - Elephant Bar Restaurant - 02/23/08 09:14 PM

The Elephant Bar Restaurant has just opened in the Altamonte Mall in Altamonte Springs.  Located in the same area as the old Ruby Tuesdays, the Elephant Bar Restaurant is a welcome addition to the mall area eateries.
The menu is inspried by Pacific Rim cuisine, but has burgers and fries for the less adventurous diners.  The interior is a soothing Asian inspired theme with an open kitchen and plenty of palm trees.  The restaurant was very busy during our lunch visit and was a little loud, but still an enjoyable escape from shopping or work.  The restaurant is family friendly and had an mix of shoppers and local … (0 comments)

2936 Cedar Crest Drive, Apopka, FL - DRAMATIC PRICE REDUCTION! - 02/22/08 10:55 AM
Take a second look at this home!  2005 Built, it has never been lived in.  This home is over 2200 square feet priced at $289,000.  Move right in!
 
2936 Cedar Crest Drive, Apopka, FL 2936 Cedar Crest Drive, Apopka, FL 32712 View Map REDUCED - NEW HOME - THIS HOME CAN'T BE DUPLICATED AT THIS PRICE AND HAS UPGRADES INCLUDING A GAS FIREPLACE, FOAM WALL INSULATION AND CERAMIC TILE. Walk to the new Wolf Lake Elementary & Middle Schools! New 3 Bed/2 Bath, Office/4th Bedroom, 1/3+ Acre, 3 Car Side Entry Garage, Inside Utility, Split floor plan, gas fireplace. Gated Community … (0 comments)

9285 Baton Rouge Drive, Orlando, FL - HUGE Price Reduction - $199,900 - 02/22/08 10:12 AM
One of the best homes for sale in the West Oaks Mall area of Orlando.  Picture perfect, updated home... Call us today to see this great home!
 
DRAMATIC PRICE REDUCTION - LEAST EXPENSIVE HOME IN SUBDIVISION 9285 Baton Rouge Drive, Orlando, FL 32818 View Map I'M BEAUTIFUL INSIDE!!! WOW - The improvements are complete and this home is a stunner! Flexible floor plan for today's lifestyle. Home is on over 1/4 acre lot with fenced yard. Updates included: New laminate wood floors throughout, new laminate tile floors in kitchen and baths, new range, re-finished cabinetry, new kitchen countertops and fresh paint. … (0 comments)

Will They Find You On The Internet? - 02/21/08 09:32 PM
We just took another listing as a direct result of our online presence .  I'm constantly amazed when buyers and sellers contact me because they found me on the internet, sometimes they don't even know how it happened but they ended up on my blog or on my website and something the read compelled them to call me.
Whether its blogging on AR, my website blog, my listings that are syndicated to more websites than I can keep track of, it doesn't matter to me... I'm not picky.  I just want them to find me.
How can anyone ignore the power of the internet and … (9 comments)

Why are all these homes priced higher? - 02/19/08 09:34 PM
Why are all these homes priced higher than what you are telling me I should list mine for?
That was the question a perspective seller asked us today while we were discussing the current market conditions and what buyers are paying for homes like hers in this market.
I had a really simple answer, either their agent hasn't kept them informed of the current market conditions (which is highly unlikely) or the sellers of those homes haven't listened to their REALTOR who has been telling them that they need to reduce their price. 
We had to tell this perspective seller, who was shocked and disappointed, that her house should … (5 comments)

OPEN HOUSE SATURDAY, February 9th From 3 - 5 PM @ 239 S. Country Club Rd., Lake Mary - 02/08/08 12:47 PM
Quality Buit In The Heart of Lake Mary-239 S. Counrty Club Rd. 239 S. Country Club Rd., Lake Mary, FL 32746 View Map They don't build them like this anymore. Well built 3 bedroom / 2 bath home on large corner lot in the heart of Lake Mary. Fantastic home in great condition. It may have been built in the 50's but it is ready to accommodate the lifestyle of today's buyer. Clean, light and bright... This home sits on over 1/3 acre in one of the best school districts in Central Florida. Located within walking distance to Lake Mary Elementary … (0 comments)

9285 Baton Rouge Drive, Orlando - OUTSTANDING VALUE MINUTES FROM THE WEST OAKS MALL! - 02/06/08 05:00 PM
OPEN HOUSE THIS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 10TH FROM 1-4PM 9285 Baton Rouge Drive, Orlando, FL 32818 View Map I'M BEAUTIFUL INSIDE!!! **SELLER WILL CONTRIBUTE $5,000 TOWARDS BUYER'S CLOSING COSTS** WOW - The improvements are complete and this home is a stunner! Flexible floor plan for today's lifestyle. Home is on over 1/4 acre lot with fenced yard. Updates included: New laminate wood floors throughout, new laminate tile floors in kitchen and baths, new range, re-finished cabinetry, new kitchen countertops and fresh paint. Split floor plan and den/family room that could be turned into a fourth bedroom. Convenient location minutes from 429, 408 … (0 comments)

No Photo… No Listing - 02/04/08 10:56 AM
IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!
REALTORS® who want to enter properties in the Greater Orlando Regional REALTORS® Association's MLS (multiple listing service) will now be required at the time of entry to include a photo.  This is a step in the right direction for real estate professionals, buyers and sellers.  I wish that they had taken it a step further and required photos of the kitchen, living/great room, master bedroom and master bathroom for a total of 5 photos, but I'm pleased none the less.
I'm really disappointed in listings that only have 1 photo.  I can't imagine being satisfied as a REALTOR® with providing only … (7 comments)