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.

Average 30-year loan rate ties record low: 3.94%

The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage has dropped to 3.94 percent, the record low set in October. The rate on the 30-year home loan fell from 3.99 percent the previous week according to Freddie Mac. This week’s 3.94 percent average matches the lowest on records dating to the 1950s.

Low rates offer a historic opportunity for those who can afford to buy or refinance. However, many people either can’t take advantage of the record-low rates or have already done so. Sales of previously occupied homes are just slightly ahead of last year’s dismal sales figures – and those were the worst in 13 years. New-home sales appear headed for their worst year on records dating back half a century.

One in four (25%) experts polled by Bankrate.com this week expect record-low rates to drop even further over the short term, while 56% predict no change. Only 19% foresee an increase.

The average rates don’t include extra fees, known as points, which most borrowers must pay to get the lowest rates. One point equals 1 percent of the loan amount.

Source: Florida Realtors

Sundays Out and About Orlando

OLV Café -Mimosas Under the Mistletoe $19.95 includes all you can drink mimosas. 12:00-4:00pm.

The Boheme - Sunday Jazz Brunch 10:30am-2:30pm.

The House of Blues - Gospel Brunch. $33.50 10:30am & 1:00pm

Paris Bistro - Brunch with Unlimited Sparking Wine $15.95. 11:00am-4:30pm

Bananas a Modern American Diner - Gospel Brunch ~ 11:30am & 1:00pm.

Eola Wine Company $5 Strawberry,Raspberry,.Peach or Banana Mimosas-12:00-4:00pm.

Celebration Farmer's Market- 9:00am-2:00pm

Maitland Farmer's Market - 9:00am-2:00pm

Lake Eola Park - Orlando Farmer's Market 10:00-4:00 pm.

Stardust Video & Coffee - Grandma Party ~ 10am-Dusk

Sam Flax - Market Sundays ~11:00-4:30pm. Artists, Musicians, & Food Trucks

 

Kilwins Winter Park - Fabulous Fudge - Buy One Slice, Get One Slice (mix & match) ~ 12:00pm.-8:30pm.

Casa Feliz - Music at the Casa 12:00-3:00pm. Free

The Oceanaire Seafood Room - $1 Oyster at the Bar. ~ 5:00pm.10:00pm.

Snap shot on Florida real estate and slow recovery

At the recent Florida Realtors’ 2012 Real Estate and Economic Forecast Conference, Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo stressed the slow but steady upward trends in Florida housing and employment, both of which have been overlooked. With prices at attractive levels, investors are back in the market and the distressed property market has stabilized. International demand has risen over the last year, adding to the positive trends in Florida real estate.

In Florida and nationwide, restrictions on credit have slowed the real estate market’s recovery. While the average credit scores of approved loans under “normal” circumstances are around 720, in 2009 and 2010 the average was around 760. Easing credit conditions to “normal” could increase sales 15-20% higher according to Dr. Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist. He stated that there could be a 10% price increase in South Florida as bargain hunters and foreign buyers boost sales – taking advantage of prices that are too good to pass up.

Experts outside the industry agree that Florida should have positive growth in 2012. While Florida employment growth has been weak and its recovery sluggish, Mark Vitner, senior economist at Wells Fargo, also had encouraging remarks on the state. He pinpointed tourism and healthcare as leaders in the employment recovery.

International visitors to Florida’s many vacation destinations have boosted tourism, while concurrently stepping up as investors in the state’s housing market. Vitner indicated specific areas in the state where prices have bottomed-out and employment has turned around.

More on Florida Real Estate  from the 2011 Real Estate and Economic Forecast Conference.

Source: Florida Realtors’ 2012 Real Estate and Economic Forecast Conference, and Florida Realtors

Citizens Property Insurance board approves proposals for depopulating in FL

The board overseeing the state’s largest insurer of homes and businesses recommended several proposals aimed at reducing the size of Citizens Property Insurance Corp. this past week.

 Gov. Rick Scott wanted the recommendations ready for the Legislature to take up during the 2012 session that begins in less than a month. He is looking for the state-backed Citizens to be downsized, or even sold, to try to reduce risk to millions of Floridians who are liable for catastrophic losses if the insurer became insolvent.

The plan approved by the Citizens’ board would allow the insurer to increase its rates more quickly and reduce its overall exposure by passing along excessive risk to policy owners. Read more.

Orlando out and about on Thursday

Collage Park Farmer's Market ~ 5pm-9pm.

 

Jack's Steakhouse- $5 Burger Night.

High Tide Harry's - Big Meal Deal $12.99 ~ 6pm-Close

K Restaurant - $20 Filet Night ~ 6pm-10pm.

Eat More Produce - Food Truck Pod 6pm-10pm.

Urban Flats - Loves Ladies ~ $5 Flatbread, $3 Pinnacle Drinks & Free Dessert for the Ladies.