Orlando- End of Year Inventory of Homes for Sale on the Mid-Florida MLS.

There are 5,134 properties for sale in Orange County- Orlando, Florida with the median price of $158,500 at $86.76 and the median size of 1,773.

How long are these properties on the market? Almost 23 percent are on the market less than 30 days, 16.4 percent are on the market 31 to 60 days, 12.5 percent are on the market 61 to 90 days, almost 9 percent are on the market 91 to 120 days, and 39.4 percent are on the market longer than 120 days. As always, pricing properties properly is crucial to move it quickly. See the chart below showing a breakdown of properties for sale in Orange County, Florida (Orlando Market).

This is the inventory breakdown of homes for sale in Orange County, FL (ORLANDO) as 2011 comes to a close. The properties are listed by price, quatity and average days of the market for that price range.

Price Range	Quantity	Average DOM
$49,999 or under	528	111
$50,000 - $99,999	1,118	133
$100,000 - $149,999	821	136
$150,000 - $199,999	676	144
$200,000 - $249,999	400	169
$250,000 - $299,999	310	169
$300,000 - $349,999	199	163
$350,000 - $399,999	161	206
$400,000 - $499,999	158	203
$500,000 - $599,999	120	195
$600,000 - $699,999	81	143
$700,000 - $799,999	85	258
$800,000 - $899,999	59	224
$900,000 - $999,999	55	293
$1,000,000 or over	361	319
Total	5,132	163

Florida ranks high among states in lowering unemployment-

Encouraging news for Floridians-our state had the second best year among all the states in reducing unemployment over 2011. According to a report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics this week, Florida came in second to New Mexico in lowering its official jobless rate from 11.9 percent in November 2010 to 10 percent last month, the bureau said. New Mexico's jobless rate dropped 2.1 percentage points from 8.6 to 6.5 percent.

 Also, the 98,100 jobs that Florida added over the year put us third in the nation, behind only California and Texas. Still, Florida is just one of eight remaining states with double digit unemployment. Who has it worse? Nevada comes in at 13 percent, and California follows at 11.3 percent.  

We have got to get more jobs in the state, but it feels good to know things are improving.

Source: News Service of Florida

College Park - Farmers Market

At the College Park Farmer's Market our focus is all local , from produce and other farm goods to prepared foods, grocery items and meals.  This market works hard to bring you food that is grown, raised, caught, or carefully made right here in Florida, emphasizing freshness and encouraging sustainable practices. 


Find out how much better food taste when it is grown and raised locally and naturally. The market is a community of growers, ranchers, fishermen, chefs, artists, handicrafters, musicians and neighbors.

Address	1600 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL 32804 ·
Hours	Thu: 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Located northwest from downtown Orlando, College Park provides a quiet small town feel within the heart of Orlando. Just minutes from downtown Orlando, this desirable little community has easy access into town via Edgewater Drive or I-4.

Orlando Colleges, Universities and Technical Schools

The Orlando area has many education choices of higher learning, from local junior colleges to State Universities to technical schools.  See the list below for the Orlando area many education alternatives. Links will take you to the institution's home page.

State University System

University of Central Florida (Orlando)

Private Institutions

Rollins College (Winter Park)

DeVry University (Orlando)

University of Phoenix (Orlando)

Florida College System

Brevard Community College (Cocoa)

Seminole State College of Florida (Sanford)

Valencia College (Orlando)

Trade/Technical Institutions

Full Sail University (Winter Park)

The Digital Animation and Visual Effects School (Orlando)

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences (Orlando)

Orlando Culinary Academy (Orlando)

Religiously Affiliated Institutions

Florida Christian College (Kissimmee)

Florida Christian University (Orlando)

Hindu University of America (Orlando)

Reformed Theological Seminary (Orlando)

Florida Education

Education in Florida

Florida College System

Florida Board of Governors

Florida Department of Education

State University System of Florida

Department of Education listing of accredited institutions in Florida

Florida Board of Governors: State University System of Florida

Florida Dept. Education: Florida's Community Colleges

Florida is 3rd among states for population growth

As a nation, we are still moving around and growing, and Florida ranks high on the list.  Florida ranks third following Texas and California in population growth according to the latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates. The number one spot went to Texas with a gain of 529,000 people between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011.  California was second at 438,000, and Florida followed with 256,000.

The United States as a whole saw its population increase by 2.8 million over the 15-month period, to 311.6 million. But interestingly enough, the U.S. population growth of 0.92 percent between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011, is the lowest since the mid-1940s.

California holds the spot for the most populous state, with a July 1, 2011, population of 37.7 million. Rounding out the top five states were Texas (25.7 million), New York (19.5 million), Florida (19.1 million) and Illinois (12.9 million).  

Did any one state shrink in numbers during this period? Three states did: Rhode Island lost 1,300 or -0.12 percent, Michigan lost 7,400 or -0.08 percent and Maine lost200 or -0.01 percent during April 1, 2010, through July 1, 2011.

Which state saw the biggest trend change? Nevada, between 2000 and 2010 it ranked only 27th in population growth but between April 1, 2010, and July 1, 2011, it only increased by 0.8 percent.

 Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Orlando Eats on Monday

Here are just a few ideas if you are looking for something different to do this Monday in and around Orlando

 

Farris and Fosters's - Family Night- $29 lb Chocolate family of four. (Reservations Suggested)

Big Fin Seafood Kitchen- Monday Lobster Mania, $13.95 11/2lb Steamed Whole Maine Lobster. ~ 5pm.-10pm.

College Park Food Truck Pod ~ 5pm-8pm

Audubon Park Community Market ~ 6pm-10pm

Mitchell's Fish Market- Oyster Night Monday $1.50 each in the bar.

 

Grand Bohemian - Jazz Jam ~ 8pm-11pm.

-Call to confirm information.

Happy Holidays, Dear Readers!

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More parents helping kids buy homes

Twenty percent of baby boomers have helped at least one of their children achieve homeownership by purchasing a home for them, co-signing a mortgage or contributing to the downpayment, according to a survey by Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate. 

Another 68 percent of those polled plan to help their children or grandchildren become homeowners down the road. 

Experts attribute the trend to low home prices, parents wanting to provide some stability in their children’s lives and the fact that their children lack the necessary cash to make home purchases. These parents recognize that cash transactions offer better deals and quicker closings, or they know their children cannot afford a 20 percent downpayment or have a type of job, such as freelance or part-time, frowned upon by lenders. 

So parents, want to help your adult children? Do not  jeopardize your budgets or your retirement by helping your children become homeowners. Also be sure your children can afford the monthly costs and other expenses that accompany homeownership. Also, if you are offering a loan – not a gift – put it in writing.

 Source: CNNMoney, Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate,Les Christie, Les

A Holiday for the rest of us...Happy Festivus

It is that time of year, Festivus, the Holiday for the rest of us. So grab your aluminum pole, it is time to do the airing of grievances, or skip that and do feats of strength, dear readers. Not sure how to celebrate? Grab Festivus tips here. Enjoy!

US home sales continue to climb.

Existing-home sales rose again in November and remain above a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors.

Total existing home sales, which are completed transactions that include single-family, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops, increased 4.0 percent to a rate of 4.42 million in November from 4.25 million in October, and are 12.2 percent above the 3.94 million-unit pace in November 2010.

NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said more people are taking advantage of the buyer’s market. “Sales reached the highest mark in 10 months and are 34 percent above the cyclical low point in mid-2010."  

An elevated level of contract failures continues to hold back a broader sales recovery. Contract failures were reported by 33 percent of NAR members in November, unchanged from October but notably above a year ago when it was 9 percent.

Total housing inventory at the end of November fell 5.8 percent to 2.58 million existing homes available for sale, which represents a 7.0-month supply at the current sales pace, down from a 7.7-month supply in October.

 Regionally, existing-home sales in the Northeast jumped 9.8 percent to an annual pace of 560,000 in November and are 7.7 percent above a year ago. The median price in the Northeast was $240,200, which is 0.1 percent below November 2010.

Existing-home sales in the Midwest rose 4.3 percent in November to a level of 960,000 and are 15.7 percent higher than November 2010. The median price in the Midwest was $133,400, down 4.0 percent from a year ago.

In the South, existing-home sales increased 2.4 percent to an annual pace of 1.74 million in November and are 12.3 percent above a year ago. The median price in the South was $143,300, which is 2.1 percent below November 2010.

Existing-home sales in the West rose 3.6 percent to an annual level of 1.16 million in November and are 11.5 percent higher than November 2010. The median price in the West was $195,300, down 8.4 percent below a year ago.

SOURCE: Florida Realtors®

Existing home sales continue to climb in November in Florida

Florida’s existing home and existing condo sales continued its positive upswing in November, according to the latest housing data released by Florida Realtors®. Existing home sales increased 11 percent last month with a total of 12,993 homes sold statewide compared to 11,664 homes sold in November 2010, according to Florida Realtors.

 According to Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo, home prices are stabilizing. Prices have not turned around but they are stabilizing, which is vital for the market to gain equilibrium.

 © 2011 Florida Realtors®

Free Dental Service for the first 75 people-Friday, December 23, 2011.

Dentistry From The Heart is spreading free smiles across North America and they will be in Oviedo this Friday, December 23, 2011. Through hundreds of events each year, free dental care is made available to communities in 49 states and Canada. The event starts ar 7 a.m. but people camp out to be chosen. Plan ahead and best wishes!

83 Alafaya Woods Boulevard
Oviedo, FL 32765
http://www.youroviedodentist.com/




Dentistry from the Heart - event in Ovideo

Payroll tax cut bill boosts cost of new mortgages

Who is paying for the two-month extension of the payroll tax cut working its way through Congress? The cost is being dropped in the laps of most people who buy homes or refinance beginning next year.

The typical person who buys a $200,000 home or refinances that amount starting on Jan. 1 would have to pay roughly $17 more a month for their mortgage, thanks to a fee increase included in the payroll tax cut bill that the Senate passed Saturday. The White House said the fee increases would be phased in gradually. Is this just me, or is this hurting us more in the long term? Read more on this stupid tax cut bill plan here.

What do you think about this bill? Comments welcome.