Feb 24, 2010

New East Orlando Rec Centers

There are two up and coming rec centers coming in 2010 to east Orlando. Each rec center will offer a 24,000 sq ft fitness center with cardio and weight-lifting equipment along with indoor basketball, soccer and volleyball.

1) South Econlockhatchee Park, 3800 S Econ Tr (est completion date Mar 2010)
2) Goldenrod Park, 4863 N Goldenrod Rd (est completion date Jun 2010).

Read more from Victor Manuel Ramos, Orlando Sentinel.

Feb 19, 2010

Distressed Sales Still Dominate

In Jan, 73% of all Orlando home sales were distressed sales (bank-owned or short sale). The average home spent 90 days on the market before going under contract & sold for an average 94% of asking price.

“Homeowners should note that Orlando’s median price is being downwardly distorted by the significant proportion of distressed and bank-owned sales,” says ORRA Chairman of the Board Kathleen Gallagher McIver. “This distorted median price does not equate to an across-the-board loss of value for traditional homes in good condition.”

Learn more from Orlando Regional Realtor Assn.

Feb 15, 2010

203(k) Loan

There are many great, affordable available for sale in East Orlando and many of these homes are in need of repair. Due to cost and time, the average buyer shies away from these homes. When will we have the time to do necessary repairs and more importantly, where will we get the money?

For a homebuyer with the time and money to buy a distressed property, a 203(k) loan may be something to consider. With a 203(k) loan, a homebuyer can get one mortgage loan at a long-term fixed (or adjustable) rate to finance both the acquisition and the rehab/repair of the property.

Learn more from HUD.

Feb 12, 2010

Orange Co Alert

A free service to the public, OCALERT is an alert system that allows Orange Co to contact you during an emergency via email or text. Emergencies may involve:

- life-threatening weather warnings
- amber alerts
- highly disruptive road closures
- evacuation
- emergency shelters

You need to register online for the service.

Feb 10, 2010

Rybolt Park

Located at Chuluota Rd/419 & Lake Pickett Rd, Rybolt Park is envisioned as 1,440 acre ‘traditional neighborhood development’ with residential, commercial and office space in a compact village environment using green housing standards. Rybolt Park will be an ideal home for people who work in East Orlando and want to spend more time at home and less time commuting.

Read more from the developer.

Feb 5, 2010

Innovation Way Stirs Controversy

While many Orange Co residents living south of the Beachline support the idea of "smart growth" hugging the Innovation Way high-technology corridor — planned to connect UCF to Lake Nona's medical city — they are opposed to growth proposed outside of the corridor for land that is currently rural including an environmentally sensitive area between Turkey Creek and the Econ River.

Read more from Megan Stokes, East Orlando Sun

Feb 1, 2010

ArtsFest 2010

2/5/2010 – 2/14/2010 ArtsFest (All Arts, All Week, All Free) is a celebration of Central Florida arts and culture that takes place for 10 days over four counties in metro Orlando. ArtsFest includes hundreds of free arts and culture events. ArtsFest provides you with a taste of everything the arts community has to offer in your own backyard!