This 2-day concert has a fantastic line-up including:

Saturday, November 12^th

• The Killers
• The Raconteurs
• Pixies
• The Avett Brothers
• The Roots
• Gogol Bordello
• … and many more!

Sunday, November 13^th

• Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band
• Kid Rock
• Blake Shelton
• Doobie Brothers
• Warren Haynes Band
• Hindu Cowboys
• … and many more!
•  

For a complete line up for each day, click here.

On top of providing unbeatable entertainment, this event will also be considered eco-friendly. There will be several measures taken to “ensure the least amount of harm to the environment as possible” including alternative transportation, recycling bins and more. 

Tickets are available online here. There are single-day tickets, weekend passes, and several packages including housing and other special offers for visitors to enjoy. Don’t miss out!

For more information, visit the website at www.orlandocalling.com or visit www.orlandocalling.com/contact.aspx.

 With low home prices and ultra-low interest rates, the housing market now offers “perhaps the best deals of a generation,” notes a recent article by Bloomberg Businessweek.

Since the housing boom of 2006, home prices have fallen about 31 percent. Also, mortgage rates have been hovering at record lows for the past few weeks  – in the 4 percent range or even lower on 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, according to Freddie Mac’s mortgage market survey.

It’s hard to see the possibility of losing on a home purchase right now, with these mortgage rates. Prices may go lower, but not by much.

The article notes the following scenario: Buying a $300,000 home with a 4 percent mortgage rate and a 20 percent down payment would mean a $1,145 monthly payment. The Mortgage Bankers Association recently predicted that home prices may fall another 3.5 percent by mid-2012, but mortgage rates will increase by a half-point. Under that same loan scenario, a home would sell for $289,000 while the monthly mortgage bill would be $1,171 – only a $26 difference.

For those who can qualify for a mortgage, “playing the waiting game” won’t result in much gain.
 

At the forefront of your expectations is honesty. The relationship between you and your agent should be open and honest, both personally and professionally. Your agent has a fiduciary responsibility to you, meaning your agent has the "responsibility of care for the assets or rights of another person." With this responsibility, you can expect advice and guidance, not only regarding the listing price, but also straight talk and feedback on any and all issues affecting the sale of your property. When looking to engage the services of an agent, you want to ensure that you interests are paramount to the agent. Reputation speaks volumes in this aspect of your selection process.

You should expect and receive reasonable access to your agent so that you can have your questions and concerns answered in a timely manner. Having found an agent with an excellent reputation, you should expect that agent to be busy, but not so busy that they cannot provide you with the follow-up and feedback that you deserve. Balancing busy schedules is something every professional must do and they should know and recognize that every seller expects quality service.

Plan to interview prospective agents before engaging their services and ask questions that concern you, your property and your upcoming transaction. You should expect to receive professional service including quality photographs of your property to show it at its best, descriptive and inviting advertising pieces, knowledge of and use of the current trends in social media marketing and honest feedback and follow-up. When it comes to selling your home – one of the biggest transactions, if not the biggest, of your life – you need to be confident that your listing agent can capably handle every aspect of the transaction. Don’t accept anything less!

For starters, experience dolphins first hand. Take the two-day tour south to the Florida Keys, with accommodations and evening meals included, and swim with the dolphins. This is something you and your children will never forget. Swimming of course is optional and you can choose to wade or observe, but experiencing the dorsal fin tow or the flipper handshake makes the first time nerves worthwhile. On day two, venture out in the Everglades on an exhilarating airboat ride to encounter alligators, raccoons, birdlife and more. With all that adventure, you will be ready to finish the tour off with a stop at Miami’s Bayside shopping complex. Here you will find dining, designer shops and boutiques. As an optional extra, the Star Island boat cruise will take you past the oceanfront homes of the rich and famous.

The Manatee Adventure tour is a two-hour bus trip from Orlando to the Crystal River and you will be able to dive and snorkel with the endangered manatee. These loveable giants, related to the elephant, will fascinate you. Although contact is not guaranteed, close encounters are common. After enjoying a BBQ lunch, the next stop is Homossasa State Park. Here you will learn more about the manatees during the feeding session and how important animal rehabilitation is in the park. Be sure to take your camera or iPhone, as you will definitely want to post these photos on Facebook.

Orlando theme parks have great rides, but nothing compares to flying across the water at speeds up to 45mph. Boggy Creek Airboats are loud, fast and exciting and the best way to see the spectacular scenery and wildlife. As you speed across Lake Toho, you will see eagles, snakes, birds and alligators. Hang on tight because this is one of the most breathtaking rides and something that you will be raving about for years to come. Just in case this is not enough excitement, you can book a night ride and track the alligators as their eyes glow red in the bright spotlights.

More than 40 local food and drink vendors will be on hand around the fountain at the intersection of Washington and Hyer, including 301 Lakeside Restaurant, Cityfish Restaurant, Shari Sushi Lounge, Nick’s Italian Kitchen, and HUE Restaurant. Also represented will be retailers, service businesses and professional firms.

Tickets to A Taste of Thornton Park are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. They can be purchased online or at Publix (400 E. Central Blvd), Marie France (716 E. Washington St.), or Mother Falcon (817 E. Washington St.). Delight your palate at this year’s 10^th annual A Taste of Thornton Park – it’ll be the place to be on October 20th from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.!

To help those on the receiving end of these situations, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) has created a new program called the “203(k) Rehab loan.” The program is meant to encourage the preservation and restoration of America’s current homes. In short, the program is HUD’s central method for providing home repair assistance for single-family homes.

A 203(k) can be used in one of three different ways to improve your home:

1. Owners can purchase a dwelling and the land on which the dwelling is located and rehabilitate it.
2. Purchase a dwelling on another site, move it onto a new foundation on the mortgaged property and then rehabilitate it.
3. A 203(k) can be used to refinance existing liens secured against the subject property in order to rehabilitate a dwelling.

To have an eligible home, there are several criteria the house must meet:

• The property must be a one- to four-family dwelling that has been completed for at least one year.
• All newly constructed units must be attached to the existing dwelling.
• The number of units on the site must be acceptable according to the provisions of local zoning requirements.
• Cooperative units are not eligible.
• Homes that have been demolished, or will be razed as part of the rehabilitation work, are eligible provided some of the existing foundation system remains in place.

For more information on eligibility, eligible improvements and more, click here.

If you are thinking about buying or selling a home, give us a call at (321) 354-7267 or send us an email to explore your options and to find out when is the best time for you to make a move.

There are 30 different booths slated for this year’s festival, each showcasing a different international cuisine.  This year, there are four new booths including the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, Portugal, and Scandinavia. Along with the new booths, there are also many booths returning, including those representing France, Germany, Italy, and South Korea. Each has its own unique menu (including both food and drinks), which can be found here.

The festival also includes a wide variety of musical acts to compliment the delicious foods and wines. Acts include (but not limited to) Sugar Ray, Hanson, and Boys II Men. There are three shows daily (at 5:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 7:45 p.m.) at Epcot’s America Garden Theater.

On top of everything else, the festival also offers many special events including 3D Delicious Dessert Discovery, cheese seminars, Mexico Tequila Tastings, Chocolate Discoveries Seminars and more! Click here to view an entire list of the special events.

Don’t miss this opportunity to delight your taste buds with the unfamiliar!

Ever wondered what it is your favorite team's mascot does during the off-season? Well wonder no more. Instead, come down and see for yourself. July 28th to July 30th will have 30 mascots from sports team across the country gather for the annual Mascot Games. Mascots from a variety of sports include: MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL, NCAA and the Arena Football League.

The mascots will compete in a variety of events. All proceeds benefit New Hope for Kids. New Hop for Kids is an Orlando, Florida based non-profit that grants wishes to children who are suffering from life-threatening illnesses and provides grief support for children who have lost a loved one.

Stetson University
Thursday, July 28 at 12:30pm

Amway Center
Friday, July 29 at 12:30pm
Saturday, July 30 at 2:00pm

For more information and to purchase tickets call (407) 332-3059 x10.

It is always inspiring to see people come to the aid of others in need. Recently, Lake Highland Preparatory School (LHPS) in Park Lake Highland of Orlando, FL raised $42,403.96 for Japanese Relief following the devastating earthquake and tsunami of March 11. Harris Rosen of Rosen Hotels and Resorts, Inc. matched the gift making the total dollar amount raised $84, 807.92. Both students of LHPS and Rosen will be working hard to ensure the money gets to those who are truly in need.

Rosen has been awarded the “Best Contribution to Orlando,” one of the area’s “Most Influential Executives,” and “Best Corporate Citizen” of 2006, 2007, 2010 by Orlando Magazine. Recently, he was named the Cornell Entrepreneur of the Year 2011, which is awarded annually to a Cornell graduate who “best exemplifies entrepreneurial achievement, community service and high ethical standards.” This is the second time that Rosen has worked with LHPS to raise funds for victims of natural disasters; just last year, they raised $116,000 for earthquake victims in Haiti.

Over 200 LHPS students performed in a benefit concert held March 27th. Acts included music, theatre, and dance. There was no admission charge for the event, but donations of any size were accepted. The students were able to raise a sizable amount of money with only this one concert and a few other small fundraisers.

LHPS, founded in 1970, is an independent day school with two campuses totaling 42 acres in the heart of Orlando, FL. They have a “commitment to instilling Christian values, inspiring patriotism, developing future leaders, and preparing students for lifelong learning.”

It is important to feed your family with local, fresh, quality ingredients. The citizens of Central Florida are lucky enough to have the Audubon Park Community Market providing them with “truly local foods” on a weekly basis. The market is dedicated to selling foods that are grown, raised, caught, or made in Florida while emphasizing the importance of freshness and encouraging sustainable practices. The event is sponsored by Ourlando, which inspires the community to “co-create a vibrant and sustainable local living economy through authentic creative culture, social equity and environmental harmony.” The market is volunteer operated, and features what they call a “community of growers, ranchers, fishermen, chefs, artists, handicrafters, musicians and neighbors.”

On top of fantastic food options, the market also has “green” or environmentally sensitive home materials and education, fine art, sustainable and functional crafts, live local music, and even educational activities for children.

What will you find at the Audubon Park Community Market?

• Cow’s & goat’s milk
• Free-range chicken
• Cheese
• Seafood
• Grass-fed beef and lamb
• Pasta and breads
• Honey, jams & jellies, salsa and dressings
• Cupcakes, biscotti, snacks, and more

The Audubon Park Community Market takes place every Monday evening from 6 P.M. – 10 P.M. For more information, visit www.apmarket.wordpress.com.

As one of the nation’s leading retail mortgage lenders, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is offering a new program to their buyers. The FHA Gift Registry account allows future homeowners to open an account where documented cash donations are directly deposited. The funds can be used for the buyers’ down payment, but there are no requirements regarding how the money must be spent. This is intended for occasions where many gifts are anticipated, such as weddings, graduation, a new addition to the family, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc.

Here are some additional benefits of the program:

• The program is flexible, accommodating, and convenient, which allows for many case-by-case exceptions to be made.
• Wells Fargo Home Mortgage makes sure that each step in the process is well documented and completed correctly.
• FHA Gift Registry accounts are free, simple, and links together the giver and recipient at this important time.

The 6^th annual event will also offer giveaways and prizes to lucky patrons. Tickets for this spirit-filled event are available for $30 in advance and $40 the day of the event. Hosted at Thornton Park South from 4:00PM-8:00PM on Saturday, April 31, 2011, the combination of the fantastic wine and food with the beautiful art and live music will ensure for a enjoyable evening out.

Visit www.wmmo.com for more information on the event, and to purchase tickets. Tickets are also available to purchase at Mucho’s Tequila & Tacos

Tip: Arrive early! The lines can get very long, and free samples are not offered the last hour of the event.

Patrons of the event delight in exploring the many opportunities for purchasing high quality hand crafted paintings, ceramics, home décor items, and jewelry. Children enjoy the kid’s corner where they can participate in special children’s crafts where they can have their faces painted or join in on various painting activities or sculpting a creation of their own.

2011 marks the 23^rd year the Spring Fiesta at Lake Eola has taken place. Last year a record 150,000 people attended the family friendly event. Vendors and artists from all over the United States come to Lake Eola Park in the spring to display and sell their work. The fiesta offers attendants a chance to people watch through the hustle and bustle, while enjoying local and international fare while searching for that one special piece of art, or souvenir.

The Orlando Farmer's Market was established in 1987 to provide the residents of Orlando with an opportunity to buy fresh produce. Due to development and changes in the cityscape, the Orlando Farmer's Market has changed locations several times throughout the years. Today the market is centrally located downtown at Lake Eola Park.

Shoppers enjoy a wide variety of goods including fresh produce grown on Florida farms and sold by the local farmers themselves. Arts, crafts, and unique items including hand crafted jewelry, paintings, pottery, handmade soaps and candles are all local treasures you will find among the alluring aromas of the many ethnic food offerings, breads, kettle corn and funnel cakes.

The farmer's market is family and pet friendly. Thornton Park community members enjoy being immersed in the sights and sounds of Orlando while strolling through the market with friends, family and fellow residents. Every Third Sunday of the month the farmer's market hosts an Arts in the Park event where regional artists bring their one of a kind art together to sell at affordable prices to their neighbors.

The farmer's market continues to grow each year with new vendors; recently a new wine and beer garden was added. New live entertainment acts and outdoor dining vendors are always joining the farmer's market. Locals and tourists alike flock to the lake every Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm to join in the festivities.

The décor of the bar is intimate as a result of the small quarters, yet contemporary. The outdoor area allows for open space to share a drink with friends while people watching at a cozy table in front of the bar. Foot traffic and passing cars on Central Boulevard are background noise outside, while top 40 and 80’s music plays inside quietly. And don’t forget the fabulous view of Lake Eola from the bar as well.

The Eola wine bar provides an intimate and trendy atmosphere. Most often there are two knowledgeable bartenders on hand to serve you and provide helpful suggestions as well. The bar offers 70 different wines by the glass; more than 30 craft bottled bears as well as a variety of appetizers and desserts. A glass of wine costs between $7 and $17 and a bottle ranges between $10 and $100.

I just wanted to remind potential home-buyers out there that there are loans available for scores in the low 600's to 620 with minimal down payments. As long as you have not been last in the past 12 months you can get a loan. Of coarse your debt to income will have to be with in specific ranges, they have gotten much better as well. 

Wells Fargo has been very aggressive with FHA programs and also investor loans have come to an attractive extent. There is a Condo loan that does not use a condo questionnaire but requires 25% down payment. This is GREAT if one of the buildings you are trying to buy in is located in Downtown Orlando. As everyone knows, it has been a declining market in Condos and if the building is not FHA approved, it is very difficult to get financing due to high rental percentages in the building or mortgage delinquencies that are keeping lenders from issuing loans in these properties. If you are running to financing issues keep trying there are loans out there. You just need to find the right outlet that works for you. 

There are great opportunities for buyers, but it appears the media, courts and banks are all on separate planets. The realtors are learning and getting special education to assist homeowners in retaining their homes or assisting in helping them get on with their lives and the courts screw the system up as much as possible. No two deals are alike in these crazy times we are in. 

Chin up and godspeed............