Mona Lisa Introducing a living revival   A neoclassical addition to the Florida resort landscape, we invite you to experience Mona Lisa Suite Hotel, Orlando's newest all-suite hotel. Located in the award-winning village of Celebration and minutes from the gates of the Walt Disney World® theme parks, Mona Lisa Suite Hotel features 240 luxuriously appointed one and two bedroom accommodations, thoughtfully composed living areas, complete kitchens and furnished balconies overlooking your choice of the spectacular infinity pool or lush Florida landscape. Together with The Galerie Restaurant & Bar, Mona Lisa Suite Hotel frames your vacation experience in the ultimate in luxury and impeccable service. Floor Plans: The Michelangelo The Da Vinci The Monet   Went up and tried the restaurant for ... 08/04/2008

Stetson University The Stetson University Center at Celebration offers advanced degrees in Business, Educational Leadership and Counseling. The Center also provides in-service training for teachers and other educators. Programs incorporate the latest educational research technology and theory. The Center's technology programs offer state-of-the-art training in Microsoft® and other certifications and a variety of other Information Technology initiatives. 08/04/2008

   Celebration Golf Club The renowned father-son team of Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Jr. sculpted a park-like atmosphere within the natural wetland environment, creating a truly serene golf experience. The course boasts rolling terrain that weaves through a series of pristine lakes and periodic clusters of native oak, pine and magnolia. Designed with shot-making strategy in mind, the championship caliber course demands accurate approach shots and consistent putting. Featuring strategic hazards and challenging greens, and sporting five sets of tees on every hole, the course invites competition for many skill levels. Host to prestigious events such as the 2002 U.S. Senior Open Qualifier, 2003 Florida State Public Links Championship, 2004 & 2005 Buick Scramble National Championships, the 2... 08/04/2008

The heart of Celebration is a commitment to community, education, health, technology, and a sense of place. These cornerstones form the building blocks for this dynamic and special place. I moved here 5 years ago and I love to call Celebration home. Feel free to ask me any questions about our community, our schools, clubs,  hospital what it is like to live here. www.CelebrationAgent.com Community parks offer playgrounds, benches, and places to gather in. Miles of well lit walking and bicycle paths winding through lush tropical jungle, makes your want to get out there and walk :)  A vibrant downtown area where friends and neighbors meet, it's so nice, to bump into so many people you get to know. A signature golf course, plus tennis courts and  each village has it's own community swimming... 08/04/2008

AS the heat of summer builds sales activity in Celebration continues to build as well.  Sales are on the increase with buyers especially looking out for short sales and foreclosures.  We may not like it but the fact is these properties have to be sold and closed before we can return to a more normal market.  We keep getting hit with negative press and economic news, but smart buyers are seeing the great opportunities out there right now.  No one has a crystal ball, but when most of the buyers finally decide to start acting they are going to realize that the time to buy is now, in the summer of 2008! 07/16/2008

Hello CNN; are you tuned into every aspect of the real estate market?  Probably not because to date, I have not heard anyone talk about  this being a Landlord Market.  What does it mean?  It's simple; the buyer activity has dwindled and many buyers are delaying their purchasing decisions and renting instead.  There are many factors but the popular reason is this; renting is a great way to improve credit scores!  If a potential buyer can show timely rental payments, their credit scores will improve.  As a tenant, you most likely will not be responsible for property taxes, HOA payments or homeowners insurance (although contents insurance - which is very minimal- is highly recommended). Many Landlords are offering to maintain the lawn as well, espcially homes located within a community wit... 07/09/2008

Well, we have been very busy working with Buyers.  We have 7 closings over the next few weeks; which is very good.  The buyers who have been waiting for the "bottom" are now beginning to realize the bottom is close enough to make their moves.  The market is still negotiable, but not as negotiable as one would think.  Many Sellers are realizing the importance of listing their properties for sale at a Fair Market Value - this means they are realizing that a house that is priced to sell - will sell. Another feature our Sellers are realizing too is that they have to pack up the clutter and have their homes in show-ready condition.  They realize that investing a small dollar amount towards landscaping, sprucing up the front door and basic good old fashioned deep down cleaning will provide a ... 05/24/2008

Every real estate market (good or bad) brings con artists ready to take advantage of those who are desperate and/or in need.  This is a very upsetting story; one which I truly hope finds its way to Sellers who are facing foreclosure. As agents, we see it in the MLS listings, "Approved Short Sale, contingent upon 3rd party/lender approval."  Although I am not an expert on this subject; I can only report true stories and situations I experience on a daily basis. There is one listing that I am almost positive is Foreclosure Fraud.  The listing shows that a home is being sold as a short sale. When I contacted the listing agent, he informed me that the contract needed to be made out to someone other than the person who appeared on the Tax rolls and Owner of the property.  The house was being... 05/13/2008

I hear this question every day.  My answer is "YES!" and here's why.The interest rates are low, the inventory is high and we finally have a market that is completely negotiable!  Although the foreclosure rate is also high, the lenders responsible for those loans are for the most part, willing to negotiate as well. But before you take my word on this, please, please, please contact an attorney and a CPA before listing your home as a short sale with a Realtor.  A Realtor should never advise you of your financial situation or your rights as a homeowner in a pre-foreclosure or short sale situation.  If you decide to sell your home as a short sale without seeking the advice of an attorney or CPA, NEVER assume that the lender will approve the short sale just because you want out.  The lender ... 04/18/2008

Celebration is located in the west section of the Kissimmee real estate market off of 192.  There has been 18 single family houses sold in the 1st quarter of 2008.  They sold for prices ranging from $320,000 to $1,240,000 with an average of $620,843 and ranged in size from 1,416 square feet to 4,410 square feet with 2 of them having pools.  They took an average of 170 days before they sold. There are 26 houses that are pending closing. They range in price from $299,000 to $1,350,000 with sizes ranging from 1,636 square feet to 4,795 square feet.There are a total of 189 houses on the market.  They range in size from 1,381 square feet to 7,905 square feet with asking prices ranging from $300,000 to $3,999,900.  Of these 189 houses 47 of them are priced at $500,000 or lower.Considering the... 04/15/2008

We are entering our favorite time of year in Real Estate; The Selling Season!  One year ago, we were anticipating another Selling Season, only to be disappointed in the realization that the real estate market and values were declining.  Our typical busy season turned slow and in the end, turned our market inventory to record highs.  One year ago, our Sellers were also realizing for the first time that they were no longer in the driver's seat of determining their home value. Well, thank goodness for 2008.  We are off to a very good start to the new year with the help of low interest rates on mortgages and also, realistic home values have returned to 2005 prices, prior to the boom of the real estate market.  Unfortunately, those who purchased their homes in 2005 and 2006 are feeling the p... 02/18/2008

Celebration is located in the west section of the Kissimmee real estate market off of 192. There has been 20 single family houses sold in the 4th quarter of 2007. They sold for prices ranging from $297,000 to $1,600,000 with an average of $639,900 and ranged in size from 1,388 square feet to 4,650 square feet. They took an average of 139 days before they sold.   There are 14 houses that are pending closing. They range in price from $449,000 to $1,125,000 with sizes ranging from 1,717 square feet to 4,410 square feet.   There are a total of 188 houses on the market. They range in size from 1,416 square feet to 7,905 square feet with asking prices ranging from $249,400 to $3,999,900. Of these 188 houses 39 of them are priced at $500,000 or lower.   Considering the amount of houses sold in... 02/02/2008

Simply put...ugh!  The market is better than it was when I opened my real estate company 3 years ago.  The market was turning into a Seller's market, new homes were being sold on a lottery system, builders were taking advantage of Buyers by charging them for everything under the sun.  There was definitely a shortage of available housing in Celebration.  With only 52  homes, townhouses or condo's available, we were writing offers that were above the asking price, writing offers on homes AS-IS and jumping through every imaginable hoop available.  The interest rates were low and anyone could get a mortgage.  Ahhh...those were the good old days...or were they?Currently, there are 456 properties for sale in Celebration.  177 Single family homes, 226 Condos, 48 townhouses and 5 Villas.  Singl... 12/18/2007

Celebration was designed by the best architects in the World, who studied  variety of urban development throughout the United States before designing Celebration's plan. Situated in Osceola County, Florida just next door to Walt Disney World Resort, Celebration is close to everything Orlando Florida has to offer!   11/11/2007

 What I could lose my Celebration Florida Real Estate due to a title issue? Yes it is possible, according to First American Title there are some 70 ways you could lose your property.So what can you do to protect yourself? Purchase a Title Insurance Policy.Ok what exactly is Title Insurance?Title Insurance Coverage ends on the day the policy is issued and extends backward in time for an indefinite period. This is in marked contrast to property or life insurance, which protect against losses resulting from events that occur after the policy is issued, for a specified period into the future.                                                                         Read More at Do I need Title Insurance on my Celebration Florida home? 10/26/2007

If you live in Celebration it is almost a guarantee that you will have visitors from around the country come and visit you. What are you going to do with all of these wonderful visitors? For some reason people think that you live down here that you are always on vacation and that you can play while they are visiting.What if your Celebration home can't accomodate your latest guests? What can you do? Suggest a local hotel! That way they can come and go as they please, you don't have to be the perfect host 24 hours a day and everyone wins! You get to catch up with old friends and family and still like them after the visit! The Celebration Hotel is a charming small boutique hotel in the heart of Celebration. This Walt Disney Good Neighbor hotel provides complimentary shuttle to the Disney t... 10/19/2007

  Yes you the guy sitting on the fence! And you with the overpriced listing sitting in the corner!Let's really talk!  But first, TAKE OFF THOSE ROSE COLORED GLASSES!   There are some general rules that if you follow when making a decision to buy or sell Real Estate in Celebration Florida that you use to ensure that you make a sound decision.What do we mean by this? These are things to think about when you are trying to decide if now is a good time to purchase a Celebration Florida home or sell your Celebration Florida home:Get with the times! SOLD Highest Price LEAST Amount of Days on the Market Get off the Fence! Reality Check For Celebration Florida Real Estate Have a Plan!                                                                                          Read More the rest of t... 10/13/2007

Celebration Florida Buyers Want a Deal! I hear it daily from Celebration Florida Buyers:  "I want a Real Estate deal!"Each time I hear it, I immediately think back to the popular TV game show "Let's Make A Deal" There sometimes you left with a flashy sports car, and sometimes you left with his and her bicycles or worse.    Much like the For Sale by Owners, Celebration Buyers that try to go it alone without the assistance of a Realtor have a difficult time.It isn't just in CelebrationFlorida!  Across the country Realtors are reading it in their emails from buyers, hearing it while we are at Open Houses, and just about every phone call they receive.  "Can you get me a deal?"  Celebration Buyers and those around the country are telling their neighbors and friends.   It is what everyone is ... 10/11/2007

  Stetson University Center sits in the center of Downtown Celebration, across the street from Celebration School. Having the university in the center of town, just blocks from Market Street adds to the small town life here in Celebration! Stetson University is a semi-circular building that was designed by architects from the firm Deamer + Phillips which incorporated colors, shpaes and textures from the surrounding landscape. Each classroom has a spectacular view.                                                                                                 Read More about Stetson University Center    09/26/2007

  Let's go to the Movies in Celebration Florida!  Every aspect of life was thought about in the planning of Celebration Florida! There is even a movie theatre in the heart of Celebration! What a wonderful date night! With all the fine restaurants here in Celebration Florida, you can then walk down to the movies!Photos of Celebration Florida What are the Sales in Celebration in July 2007?  Book Suggestion: Celebration U.S.A Living in Disney's Brave New Town Support Celebration Businesses, purchase the book at Reading Trout Books (321) 939-2665. Read the First Chapter of Celebration, U.S.A. Living in Disney's Brave New Town of this book for free.What's Happening In Celebration? The Celebration News is full of information and is realeased each month.Celebration School Historical Note Every... 09/01/2007