Welcome Back Real Estate Fans...  This is the Lake Mary "City of Lakes" Real Estate Market Update for June 2008. Lake Mary features a variety of housing options from one bedroom / one bath condominiums starting at $69,000 to Estate Homes with over 14,000 square feet on 2 acres in Heathrow, one of Lake Mary's most prestigious neighborhoods.  Located North of Orlando with one of the most highly sought after school districts in Central Florida, Lake Mary was voted the #4 Place to Live in the Country by Money Magazine in 2007. Lake Mary continues to have a stabilized inventory of homes for sale, there are currently 554 homes up for sale in Lake Mary.  There are 66 homes under contract, which translates to 8.39% absorption rate.  It's easy to understand if you consider that for every 100 hom... 07/12/2008

  (click to enlarge pictures) The following are the market sales statistics for Lake Mary, Seminole County, Florida for June 2008.  Lake Mary is made up of the zip code 32746.  For purposes of this analysis we will be splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas. There needs to be a disclaimer here.  These stats are only as good as telling us what it being purchased and happening at a certain period in time.  Additionally, it needs to be fully understood that not only is real estate local, but it is hyper-local.  What this means is that the trends that we hear about are overall.  Let's put it this way, what's happening in one neighborhood, may not be realized in the neighborhood next door.  It is all relative and this has to be understood wh... 07/12/2008

TELL CONGRESS TO ACT NOW TO LOWER ENERGY COSTS!! Our country is facing a possible sharp economic downturn because of skyrocketing oil and fuel prices, but by pulling together, we can all do something to help now. For airlines, ultra-expensive fuel means thousands of lost jobs and severe reductions in air service to both large and small communities. To the broader economy, oil prices mean slower activity and widespread economic pain. This pain can be alleviated, and that is why we are taking the extraordinary step of writing this joint letter to our customers.Since high oil prices are partly a response to normal market forces, the nation needs to focus on increased energy supplies and conservation. However, there is another side to this story because normal market forces are being dange... 07/11/2008

Laura Forty-Garcia | RE/MAX Realty Resources | (386) 801-0878 290 S. 4th Street, Lake Mary, FL Two 1/2 units being sold as one full duplex only, for the total price of $279,000. Each unit has: 2bd, 2ba, 2 car garage. Total sq ft for both units i 2BR/2BA Multi-Family, 2 units offered at $279,000 Year Built 1986 Sq Footage 1,113 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 2 full, 0 partial Floors 1 Parking 2 Car garage Lot Size 10,000 sqft HOA/Maint $0 per month DESCRIPTION Two 1/2 units being sold as one full duplex only, for the total price of $279,000. Each unit has: 2bd, 2ba, 2 car garage. Total sq ft for both units is 2226. See MLS# O4840109 for other 1/2. This exceptional home is located in a quiet neighborhood within walking distance to SCC, close to all the conveniences, minutes from I-4. Lake Mary sch... 07/10/2008

Congratulations Seminole County Students and Teachers, You've done it again!  The highly anticipated FCAT school grades have been released and Seminole County has the best grades of any school district in the Metro Orlando Area.    81% of Seminole County Schools scored A's...  12% of Seminole County Schools scored B's...   7% of Seminole County Schools scored C's... 93% of Seminole County Schools are A and B Schools!    Lake Mary Schools Crystal Lake Elementary School - A Heathrow Elementary School -  A Lake Mary Elementary School - B Greenwood Lakes Middle School - A Markham Woods Middle School - A Millennium Middle School  - A Lake Mary High School - B Seminole High School - A Why are so many families moving to Seminole County?   Outstanding Public Schools are just one of the reasons... 07/10/2008

 Tonight the City of Lake Mary presents the classic "ET" for their July presentation of Movie In The Park.   The movie starts at dusk and last month I had a great time watching "The Water Horse: with my friend Heather and her daughters.  We dogged a few raindrops as the movie started, but had a great time watching a "kid friendly" movie under the stars. I hope that you have an opportunity to go...  The film is shown in the park at Lake Mary City Hall located on the Northwest corner of Lake Mary Boulevard and Country Club Road.  Bring your drinks and popcorn and a comfortable chair.  It's free! Have a good time... "ET Phone Home!"    Debbie Summers, REALTOR®, ALHS, e-PRO, 407-758-1020 or Debbie@CasAndDebbie.com   Please contact Cas and Debbie for all of your real estate needs in Seminole... 07/10/2008

Yesterday, I visited a custom home community I am marketing in Lake Mary, Florida...Washington Estates. This community, which is very exclusive with only FIVE estates, has only one street...simply named Rolex Point. On my visit yesterday, I witnessed the construction process of Estate 3, which is well underway! The drywall is in. The kitchen cabinets are in. The tile in the Master Bath and additional baths are in. This nearly 5,000 square foot home boasts five bedrooms, three and two-half bathrooms, a Study in lieu of a Formal Living Room (who uses Formal Living Rooms these days anyways??), a Formal Dining Room, a Breakfast Room, a Family Room, a Wine Cellar (I know lots of folks who will love this feature), a Media Room, an upstairs bonus room and a Wet Bar just off the kitchen. It is ... 06/30/2008

Hello soon to be blogging neighbors,                                           I just wanted to say hello and that I am very excited to start blogging and making new friends.  My name is Laura Forty-Garcia.  I am a Realtor at RE/MAX Realty Resources in Lake Mary, Florida.  Everyone that knows me, knows that I love meeting and talking to new people.  I am the ex Upstate New Yorker Resident (ROCHESTER, NY is in the house!) that has the Talk to everyone Mentality. or should I say I love to talk to anyone.  So I guess I might as well start blogging because I sure can't keep up with my kids and their Cell Phone texting....I learned how to write in the 80's so I don't really get their spelling.  (LOL)  I do know that one.. and GT2GO.  So I would love to get in the groove.. Any ideas or though... 06/25/2008

Why was Lake Mary Florida voted the #1 Place To Live in the South and the #4 Place to Live in the Country by Money Magazine?  If they took a look at the Lak Mary Sports Complex, it had to be one of the reasons.      From the ball fields to the batting cages there is something for everyone.  A little rusty?  Warm up in the batting cages with a variety of pitch speeds of softball or baseballs available.  The Tennis Center can accommodate any level of player and if your want to live dangerously you can get your skate board and try to ride the rails.     The playground at the Lake Mary Sports Complex features innovative climbing apparatus that aren't the jungle gym and monkey bars that I remember from my days, but they look fun.            The NEW Lake Mary Splash Park is up and running and... 06/13/2008

Now that Seminole County Public Schools have been dismissed for the Summer and the first few days of "freedom" have worn off, it might be a good time to consider some activities for your children so that they are not sitting in front of the TV or constantly asking "what are we going to do today?" If you are considering programs such as Swim Team, Summer Camp, Tae Kwon Do classes or Youth Sports, the J. Douglas Williams YMCA in Lake Mary is the place to be! As a past YMCA employee, I've always been a raving fan for their children's programs.  As a matter of fact, I think I've either managed or had my own children enrolled in more than 90% of the programs at the Seminole YMCA, which has recently been re-named the J. Douglas Williams YMCA. For more than 10 years, I worked at the YMCA in La... 06/10/2008

The Shaw Family is well-known in the area for their commitment to the development of Downtown Lake Mary and for their quality workmanship in both commercial and residential construction. Terry Shaw, the owner and visionary behind Shaw Construction, has been a residential and commercial builder in the area for years and has proven to be dedicated to and focused on revitalizing the historic area of downtown Lake Mary for the past ten years. As a matter of fact, Terry's company, Shaw Construction, was instrumental in the building of the very first high-end retail space in historic Lake Mary known as "Central Park Place." "Central Park Place" is nestled on a tree-lined street behind City Hall and is home to several retail shops, a yoga studio, the DeLano Everyday Café and business suites on... 06/10/2008

The following are the market sales statistics for Lake Mary, Seminole County, Florida for May 2008.  Lake Mary is made up of the zip code 32746.  For purposes of this analysis we will be splitting the data according to single-family homes vs, condominiums, townhomes and villas. 32746 - Single-Family Homes 24 homes sold during the month of May. The average sales price, which is the total sold volume divided by the number of homes sold is $419,482 with 138 days on the market. The median sales price, which means that 50% of the homes sold for more and 50% of the homes sold for less, is $380,000. The most expensive home sold for $1.165M and was new construction.  It was a 4 bedroom, 4 bath, 3-car garage golf front home with 4965sf home in a gated community on .39 acre with a screen enclose... 06/10/2008

Good Morning Real Estate Fans...  We are up early with the Lake Mary "City of Lakes" fishing update for Lake Mary home buyers and sellers.  What's Selling in Lake Mary Florida?  Grab your life jacket and jump on board. This month we've spotted 566 Lake Mary Homes up for sale.  These beauties range from one bedroom/one bath condos with lake views, of course, to multi-million dollar luxury properties in the most sought after communities in Central Florida.  Last month 42 Lake Mary homes were snagged by Lake Mary fisherman Buyers that have realized that it's a great time to jump-in and get their feet wet in the real estate market.  There are 64 Lake Mary homes hooked up and ready to be reeled in, we'll know next month how many of these great deals made it into the boat.    If you're rookie... 06/07/2008

A Realtor brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the business of buying a home.  In fact, a licensed real estate professional provides much more than the service of helping you find the home of your dreams.  Realtors are not just sales agents.  They are expert negotiators, seasoned financial advisors, and superb navigators around the local neighborhood.  They are members of the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and must abide by a Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice enforced by the NAR.  A professional Realtor is your best resource when approaching to buy a homeLet Me Be Your Guide —•    Working with me can save you endless amounts of time, money and frustration.•    I know the housing market inside and out and can help you avoid many a “wild goose chase.”•    I can he... 05/31/2008

  GIRL POWER!  Chica Margarita (the 3rd and final home on the Street of Dreams) built by Victoria Martoccia of Martoccia Custom Construction with interiors by Anne Rue was designed with an active family in mind.  The home encompasses over 10,000 square feet of living space, but has a way of wrapping itself around you so that you feel comforted by it's grandness, which is truly an achievement that very few homes of this size ever attain.    I was really impressed by the fact that this home doesn't have... a formal living room.  They say that the design trends always start in the luxury homes. I hope that the production builders take note from these two trend setters that real living doesn't include a formal living room.  Real life brings people to the kitchen, a game room and outdoors, ... 05/30/2008

The second gorgeous house on the street of dreams is the Triana designed by Johnson Estate Designs, built by Irvin Construction Company, Inc. with interiors by Robb & Stucky.  Triana has 11,018 SF of living space with an additional 5,000 square feet under roof.  It's BIG!  This home is an entertainer's dream, the interior flows to the exterior with its expansive outdoor living spaces and spectacular views.  I would consider this a very sophisticated home.  My favorite room (I don't have photos) was the home theatre...  Instead of the typical recliners this room was decked out with these two gigantic circular couches...  Now you're talking.  I want that! On of the things that you probably won't notice is the technology, it's seamless design into the home doesn't make this a smart house.... 05/30/2008

What does luxury look like? A luxury fixture looks like Kohler's new WaterTile Bodysprays  which lie virtually flush to the wall and can be placed almost anywhere. The 22-nozzle WaterTile delivers a high-volume, stimulating spray, while the 54-nozzle WaterTile creates soothing hydrotherapy. To top it off, you can include Digital Showering (DTV) that creates a spa like environment that allows you to control the water temperature, sound and steam from one control unit. What does luxury feel like? I had the opportunity to enjoy the new WaterTile Bodysprays and DTV at the Canyon Ranch Spa at the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Kissimmee, FL.  Their state of the art spa features Kohler Showers and I spent at least a half hour doing "product research" after a great message and then another half hour a... 05/27/2008

Buying or Selling? One Call Does it ALL!! Rick Belben Direct (407) 341-1706 Are you looking for an experienced real estate professional who knows the Orlando Real Estate market and can get the results you desire? Let me put my knowledge, experience, and dedication to work for you. Give me a call today, and I will immediately get to work for you - satisfying your real estate needs. Buying a Home? I'll take the time to listen to your needs and desires, and find your dream home. Your total satisfaction is my number one priority. Selling a Home? I will get your home sold for top dollar and in a timely manner. My online and offline marketing programs will give you the edge you need to sell your home. I don't want to just list your home, I want to sell it! Fast! Relocating to the Orlando Flor... 05/26/2008

The City of Lake Mary is sponsoring a "Safety Fair" on Saturday, May 31st from 9:00am-1:00pm. The Fair will be held at Lake Mary's City Hall and in Central Park, where visitors can also enjoy the Farmer's Market. The Lake Mary Police Department, Fire Department, D.A.R.E. and other community organizations will be participating. This year, the City is asking visitors/residents to donate their unused cell phones to the "911 Cell Phones for Seniors" Project. Donated phones are given to Seniors so that they can make emergency calls only. This event and others like it is why I love Lake Mary!  And, according to Money Magazine, Lake Mary is the #1 City in the State of Florida and the #4 City in the U.S. to live! As a Lake Mary/Seminole County resident for more than 30 years, I would love to he... 05/17/2008

Get your Lake Mary house listed in the Mid FL Regional Multiple Listing Service ( MLS ).  This MLS services all of Seminole County as well as most of the Central Florida region. Listing your home in the MLS exposes your house to about 30,000 Realtors(R) in the region.  The MLS also powers websites like www.Realtor.com, www.OrlandoSentinel.com, SDRhouses.com. These websites in turn power hundreds of other sites like Google Base, Yahoo, MSN, AOL, Florida Living Network, & Cyberhomes which exposes your listing to million + potential buyers on the net.  Our Basic Listing is a very inexpensive way to to get your property listed onto the MLS and the internet.  Additionally we will provide you an initial pricing and marketing consultation, contract forms, and a for sale sign. For just a little... 05/15/2008