Localism:  The EditWorks, 447 W. SR 436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, 407-862-3113, editorlando.com Localism:  The EditWorks, 447 W. SR 436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, 407-862-3113, editorlando.com I didn't know what to expect as I dropped by The EditWorks earlier today.  Josh Loory is the owner/proprietor of the company, and he's a member of the BNI networking group that I'm in.  From listening to his "Sales Manager Minutes" over the past month or so, I had some idea of what he did- and I was glad to finally learn more about his business.   DVD/CD duplication, video editing, video production...The EditWorks handles it all.  He had several jobs going while I was in his shop- one group of equipment had an old movie being transferred to DVD, another grouping was transferring an old bas... 01/06/2012

December and the year 2011 are behind us and while typically a slower month at most real estate offices it was busy and steady at Sand Dollar Realty Group.  Plenty of deals closed last month along with some nail biter short sales that the banks wanted off the books before year end.                 Sheeler Hills                                        Pine Sap                             Rouse Run 1. Indiana St, Haines City, FL 33844.  2 bed, 2 bath home built in 1929 with charming wraparound porch.  Great shape, but unfortunately a short sale for the owner.  Sold in December for just $40,000. 2. Ballard St, Altamonte Springs, FL 32701. 3 bed, 2 bath home remodeled nicely by one of our investor clients.  Sold for $77,900.  3. Sheller Hills Dr, Apopka, FL 32703. 3 bed, 2 bath home fixed up... 01/02/2012

 Cranes Roost Park Altamonte Springs Cranes Roost Park is Central Florida's premier outdoor event venue. There are daily, weekly, monthly and annual events open to the public. Cranes Roost Park Altamonte Springs is at the heart of Uptown Altamonte surrounding Cranes Roost Lake. Within the 45 acre park is a one mile walking route circling it. Around the lake you will find benches and covered seating areas. There is a European-style Plaza which includes a choreographed fountain show and a 62’ picturesque tower. There is the Eddie Rose Amphitheater with stadium-style seating and a one-of-a-kind floating stage. Many weekend events include live concerts, and onstage acts. On a Friday or Saturday evening within the fountain garden area, local residents gather for weddings and other outdoor re... 12/06/2011

November 2011 is behind us and despite what the media says the Orlando real estate market is not slowing down.  Inventory may be down to 2005 levels, but sales are strong.  Check out some of these homes we sold last month.            Westpointe                                     Hibiscus                                              Crosswind 1. Westpointe Blvd, Orlando, FL 32835.  This was a 2 bed/1 bath condo in Bermuda Dunes in the Metrowest area.  Located on the golf course and minutes from Universal Studios and the attractions.  Sold for $76,000 to a cash buyer. 2. Hibiscus Road, Casselberry, FL 32707.  A 3 bed/1 bath handyman special house in the Queens Mirror area right off of Red Bug & 436.  Inexpensive rental property that an investor snatched up for a mere $46,500.  Remember w... 12/02/2011

October 2011 is behind us and more great real estate deals sold here in Central Florida.  Check out some of the awesome properties that sold last month in metro Orlando.           Briarcreek                                               Woodridge                          Dean Cove 1. Polaris Loop, Casselberry, FL 32707. 2 bed/1 bath villa in Summit Village.  One of our regular investor customers fixed this property up and then listed with us using a limited service listing.  Sold to a cash buyer after only 3 days on the market for just over $43,000. 2. Briarcreek Dr, Apopka, FL 32703. 3/2/2 pool home in Piedmont Lake Estates. Another one of regular customers listed this property with us.  18 days on the market and sold to a first time home buyer on an FHA mortgage for $135,000. 3. Woodr... 11/03/2011

Trick or Treat Holloween At Cranes Roost Park in Altamonte Springs, is on its 16th year, of providing a safe place and fun for kids of all ages. It is put on by the City of Altamonte Springs. There will be Haunted Booths that trick or treaters walk to around the lake and stop at to a Trick or Treat. All of the booths are decorated by different Business's from around Altamonte Springs. Holloween At Cranes Roost Park, the booths have candy, toys and trinkets. There is something for everyone. Here are just a few of the activities: 6:00pm Costume Contest, At the Amphitheater Live Entertainment Multible Booths Inflatables for the kids Trick or Treat Surprises Food and Drinks   Where and When Holloween At Cranes Roost Lake Park  Monday October 31st 5:00pm - 9:00pm     Michael Morgan RE/MAX SE... 10/22/2011

I am sitting here just unwinding, and I am thinking back about what I did today.  I honestly feel that somehow since I became a Real Estate Agent, the sun sets early and the clock speeds UP! I Started out the day with a Shower and Breakfast.  Then from there I checked my email, and made some phone calls. Then it was time to drive to some local business's and ask them them to be part of my client appreciation program. After I went to 5 local businesses and got 5 contacts I came back home and talked to a Mortgage Broker about a client, then I called some other agents to set up apointments for the next couple of days so my client has homes to look at. Then I called the mortgage Broker back to get some clearification on something. Then I called the client back to let him know what is going.... 10/10/2011

Taste of Altamonte 2011...is it dinner time?...Yes, it's time for The Taste of Altamonte once again. This is a good event that the Altamonte Springs Rotary Club puts on. It affords local food vendors (as well as some of the national franchise-type restaurants) the chance to give back to our local community- and gives all of us the chance to get some good food and have a good time!               The Taste Of Altamonte Springs The Taste of Altamonte was a project begun in 1992 with the goal of returning the funds raised to charities in our local community. It has grown to be a premier event and continues to grow each year. This year take a stroll around Cranes Roost Lake while sampling "tastes" from community restaurants including international coffees, barbecue, ribs, chicken, seafood, a... 10/06/2011

Recently Sold Homes in Altamonte Springs September 2011   Altamonte Springs, Florida consists of zip codes 32714 and 32701 located in Seminole County. The results of this report are separated by the two area codes and by property style. The statistics do not include properties sold "For Sale Buy Owner" nor custom built new homes. These are only past month results, in order to get a better understanding of the market it is suggested to use a compilation of several months results.   Zip Code: 32714 Single Family Homes Sold 15 Townhome/Condos Sold 21 Average List Price $154,093 Average List Price $44,052 Average Sales Price $143,077 Average Sales Price $44,490 Average Days on Market 84 Average Days on Market 73 Lowest Priced home Sold $35,000 Highest Priced home Sold $245,000 $35,000, 3 Be... 10/04/2011

Am I going to be a great REALTOR or your Average Joe? I must apologize is advance I am just going to type whats on my mind, So if I start to ramble I really am sorry. I posted a blog on friday called Shattered Dreams http://actvra.in/kyT   I have received a lot of comments about it.  Last night I was trying to go to sleep and 2 things kept running thru my mind. The first one was how was I going to get my first client, and the other thought was what are my core values going to be as far as customer and client care? As a Realtor I think it is not only our job but it is a duty that we take care of our client. Let me explain where I am coming from. I have been a REALTOR for less then 3 weeks, I got into this not to do it part time but to invest my life into serving people, I have friends th... 10/02/2011

As some of you know I am really new to Real Estate. As a kid I remember when my parents sold our home. I thought that the Real Estate Agent was GOD! I saw this guy in a suit come over to our house and walked thru our house, the same house we spent all day cleaning and wiping everything down, making it look spotless and perfect. He walked thru and commented on how nice the tree forest wall paper on the kitchen wall was, and how the green toilet looked just great. After my mom and dad showed him the how nice the house was, we all sat at the kitchen table and that is where this man told us and yes I mean me, my mom and dad what he thought about our lovely house, and you guessed it I was in awe. This guy must be smart, he dressed in a suit, hair slicked back, nice shiny pen, he even had a l... 09/30/2011

  Tuesday, the Federal Open Market Committee voted to leave the Fed Funds Rate unchanged within its current target range of 0.000-0.250 percent. The vote was 7-3 — the first time in 5 meetings that the nation's Central Bank was non-unanimous and the first time since 1992 that the FOMC adjourned with as many as three dissenters. In its press release, the FOMC had .....   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: A Simple Explanation Of The Federal Reserve Statement (August 9, 2011 Edition) 08/10/2011

  Mortgage rates continue drifting downward, despite -- or because of -- a ratings downgrade on long-term U.S. government debt. Standard & Poors issued a single-notch downgrade after Friday's market close, from AAA to AA+. Of the roughly $9.4 billion in publicly-held U.S. debt, 72 percent is long-term (i.e. with duration of 2 years or longer). U.S. short-term debt was not downgraded. When an entity -- government, business, or....   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Mortgage Rates Drop After U.S. Credit Downgrade 08/10/2011

  When furniture arrives in your home, it's factory-issued, perfect and clean. From that day forward, however, accidents can happen, causing damage to your pieces. Sometimes the damage is permanent.   Know how to react when the inevitable spill or scratch occurs and you can "save" your furniture and extend its useful life.   From Martha Stewart, these "first-aid for furniture" tips should come in handy.   Wood   Moisture "rings" : Pour table salt on ..... Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: First-Aid Guide For Furniture   08/10/2011

{EAV_BLOG_VER:776a190d28ed8367} By including title insurance when purchasing property, your title insurer takes on accountability for legal expenses to defend your property title, should it ever be challenged. Many different occurrences can come into play to warrant the need for title insurance. The title company responsible will then take on the legal expenses to defend the property for as long as you are in possession of an interest in the property under the title. If the defense is not ....   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: What Does Title Insurance Protect Me From? 08/10/2011

Getting a new mortgage for a First-Time Home Buyer can be a little overwhelming with all of the important details, guidelines and potential speed bumps.   Since there are so many rules and steps to follow, here is a simple list of Do's and Don'ts to keep in mind throughout the mortgage approval process:   DO:   Continue working at your current job Stay current on all your accounts Keep making your house or rent payments Keep your insurance payments current Continue to maintain your credit as usual Call us if you have any questions   DON'T   Make any major ..... Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: First-Time Home Buyer Credit Checklist   08/10/2011

  Mortgage rates in Florida plunged to new 2011 lows this week.  According to Freddie Mac's weekly Primary Mortgage Market Survey, the national, average 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell to 4.39% this week -- the lowest 30-year fixed reading since November 18, 2010. The 0.16 drop from last week is the largest one-week rate drop in more than 2 years, and, although the 30-year fixed remains above its all-time lows from November 2010, two other benchmark products made new records this week. Both the 15-year fixed rate mortgage and .....   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Mortgage Rates Make New 2011 Lows 08/10/2011

  Home sales have heated up, according to the National Association of REALTORS®. More homes are going under contract this summer than went during the winter or spring seasons. Many of these homes are scheduled for late-August/early-September closings.  If your home is among them, plan ahead.  Like for the rest of the U.S. workforce, Labor Day is a popular vacation time in the real estate, title and mortgage industries. Closings come together more slowly when the parties involved are on holiday. In addition, when issues arise, they are often slower to resolve because not everyone is "present".  Therefore, if you're under contract to buy or sell your home, or have a refinance in-process with a lender, get....   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: Closing At The Start Of September? Watch Out... 08/10/2011

  At 8:30 AM ET Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will release the July 2011 Non-Farm Payrolls report. Mark it in your calendar. If you've been watching mortgage rates fall to new all-time lows this week and fear a mortgage rate reversal, Friday could be the day. The monthly Non-Farm Payrolls data can swing a big stick in mortgage markets. More commonly called "the jobs report", Non-Farm Payrolls details the U.S. workforce, providing sector-by-sector analysis of workforce, as well as the national Unemployment Rate.  The jobs report affects mortgage rates because of ....   Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: A Mortgage Rate Strategy For July's Jobs Report 08/10/2011

  The United States is projected to reach its legal $14.294 trillion debt limit today. The limit was set by Congress February 12, 2010. The U.S. Treasury may not issue new debt beyond the debt ceiling. Since April 2011, Congress has debated ways to remain below the nation's $14.292 trillion borrowing limit. The debate commenced with the passage of the 2011 U.S. Federal Budget which featured a $1.645 trillion deficit. This multi-trillion dollar deficit ensured..... Read the COMPLETE BLOG POST HERE: What Will The Debt Ceiling Agreement Do To Mortgage Rates? 08/10/2011