Now more than ever government backed loan programs helping first time home buyers achieve their dream of homeownership. While talk of a credit crunch keeps some buyers sidelined many others are getting the best deals in years, with low rates and low or no down payments! Leading the charge is the old standby FHA loan. With as little as 3% down (increasing to 3.5% as of 01/01/09) you can get rates similar to those giving huge down payments. Qualifying is very flexible and most people with credit scores over 580 can qualify. The rules regarding the downpayment are very flexible too. For most buyers their tax refund may be enough, and gifts are allowed! We also have VA and USDA backed loans that allow someone to buy with no down payment. When you negotiate to have the seller pay your clos... 10/27/2008

Festival season in Lake County officially kicks off this weekend with the 24th Mount Dora Crafts Festival held along the downtown streets of Mount Dora. The Crafts Festival is a nationally ranked juried event with over 330 artisans and vendors.  The rainy weather should be clearing by late morning and a crowd topping last year's 200,000 is expected. The festival offers a wide variety of crafted items including categories in jewelry, clay, fiber, leather, metal, wood, and glass. The festival also offers photography and floral. One of the most popular items every year is the pussy willow and dried florals. The Craft Festival is organized by the Mount Dora Village Merchants Association which earmarks the money raised for advertising the city. I will be attending the festival with my family... 10/24/2008

The Country Club of Mount Dora katina@stakeyourland.com   "Making Dreams Come True,  One Family at a time"               10/23/2008

One of the best government backed 100% financing programs is available throughout the 32757 zip code of Mount Dora. The guaranteed rural development loan also allows you to finance up to 2% of your closing costs and frequently results in zero cash at closing to buy a home. Call for more information, and get in on some of the best priced real homes we have seen in years! Gerry Suarez, Jr. Your FHA Loan Pro! 10/16/2008

Friends, I will be attending the conference in Orlando and hope to meet some of the AR folks there.  If you are planning on attending send me a quick note so I can look for you there. Here are some of the main points of the conference: Discover how to identify what it is you really want, and permanently break through any barriers that might be holding you back. Dramatically increase your physical energy and mental clarity. Revitalize your relationships and inspire others. Infuse passion into every moment of your daily life. Master the principles of a vital, healthy life. Live life on your terms. These are great opportunities to network while learning or re learning important skills. BTW, as you know this is the selling season for many markets.  We have noticed a sharp increase in the pe... 10/16/2008

  The time has come again for the Mt. Dora Annual Craft Fair.  Admission is free- so bring the entire family.   All of the quaint shops and boutiques are awaiting your arrival.  This is a great place to find unique Christmas gifts for friends and family.  There are amazing restaurants to try as well as dozens of food vendors serving up your favorite all-time festival dishes. October 25th and 26th.  City ordinance of no pets please. Have a great time- hope to see you there! 10/13/2008

I had listed this home in Loch Leven about nine months ago at $699,000, two months later after about five open houses, the sellers dropped the price to $675,000 and then to $650,000. We had submitted several offer to the bank. Of course it took about two months for the bank to reply, requesting additional information. At that point the buyer gave up and withdrew his contract. Soon after two weeks we submitted another offer from another buyer that decided to go away after two weeks. Then first buyer came back again with a different agent and submitted another offer. Back to square one. The bank did not like the offer and ask for additional money. It was resubmitted. Of course at this point the bank bought the home at the court house steps. I still submitted the offer to the bank. I did n... 09/20/2008

The cutest little house in Lake Helen is available. It has totally been renovated inside. It has new carpet, new refrigerator, stove and cabinets with title flooring. The front porch is completely new.Home on 91x120 lot features new CHA, appliances. Not far from I-4. Easy commute to Orlando. MOVE IN READY, BRING ALL OFFERS. OWNER FINANCING AVAILABLE--NO HOA'S--5 MINUTES TO I-4From 44 E to right on 1792 to left on Orange Camp Rd, past I-4, to left on N. Lakeview Dr. to right on Lake Pearl to left on Prevatt.It has two bedrooms and one bath. It would make it a wonderful starter home for a couple that likes to be on the move. I-4 is only couple of minutes away. You can drive to Daytona Beach in no time or venture to Lake Mary, Altamonte Springs or Orlando. You may also want to buy the acre... 09/20/2008

The Ice House Theatre located in Mount Dora, FL opened its 2008-2009 season September 12 with Crimes of The Heart by Beth Henley, winner of a 1981 Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award. The play centers around the three Magrath sisters; Lenny, Meg and Babe. Lenny is almost thirty with diminishing marital prospects, Meg is back in town after a failed singing career and Babe, the youngest is out on bond after shooting her husband because she doesn't "like his face." Crimes of the Heart runs from September 12 thru October 5, 2008. See The Orlando Sentinel Article. The Ice House Theatre rounds out its 2008-2009 season with A wonderful Life (a musical adaptation of Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life.) The Underpants by Steve Martin, The Honky Tonk Angels, and On Golden ... 09/13/2008

Well, Ms. Fay lingered around a little long for me.  I believe today was the 5th day that we have had constant rain in Florida.  How dreary!  I live in Florida for the warmth, wonderful sunshine and beautiful beaches.  It definately ruins my daily activities to keep looking out the window and seeing rain, rain and more rain. Where I live did not get flooded like some of the surrounding counties but we have our fair share of puddles.  It is kind of ironic that for almost the past year everyone, including a buyer I was showing many homes on lakes to, has been complaining how dry it has been and we need some rain.  Well, here it is and now everyone is complaining we have too much!  It never ceases to amaze me that people just have to complain- constantly.  I actually live in Mt. Dora which... 08/22/2008

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... 07/05/2008

Today I want to share someone who doesn't always get the recognition he deserves. Here is to Dr. Beau (Delaporte) our family veterinarian. When I moved to Eustis about ten years ago I had three cats; Abigail                                Paisley                                                  and Lost Kitty. I had never found a vet I was completely comfortable with in Orlando so I was definitely in the market for a vet I could trust. (Abigail was 19, Paisley was 9 and Lost Kitty was of unknown age but she had been with me for 4 years.) My first encounter with a Lake County vet was not good. I came home from work one day and Abigail was obviously ill. I took her to the only vet I could find open that night. That vet was not forthcoming and honest with a prognosis. I left his office tha... 06/13/2008

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

Looking for a Good Deal NEW HOMES is the way to go!!! If you are looking to purchase a new home in any Central Florida New Home Community NOW is a excellent time to do so. New Home builders in the Orlando, Apopka and Central Florida area have dropped the prices and are offering great incentives. Do you need a REALTOR® when buying a brand new home from a builder? ABSOLUTELY!!! When you walk into a Model home and you're greeted by the salesperson, remember they work for the Builder and have the Builders best interest in mind NOT YOURS! Thinking of Buying a NEW home in the Orlando, Apopka and Central Florida area? Don't BUY WITHOUT Representation. Call Rick Belben BEFORE YOU VISIT the sales center as I must accompany you on your 1st visit. Let me represent you and Save thousands on new hom... 05/20/2008

On the shores of Lake Dora sits the majestic and historic Lakeside InnIn the early 1880's Mount Dora was known as Royellou. The town consisted of no more than a post office. The postmaster Ross Tremain named the lakeside outpost after his three children; Roy, Ella and Louis. The sixteen families who lived along the shore of Lake Dora decided the town needed a hotel. It was about this time Royellou was renamed Mount Dora. "Mount" for the uncommon attribute (for Florida) of being 184 feet above sea level.Town Father John Alexander entered into a partnership with Annie MacDonald Stone Donnelly, wife of John P. Donnelly, and Colonel John A. MacDonald to open the Alexander House in 1883. The Alexander Inn still stands as Lakeside Inn's most historic building.In 1893 the Alexander Inn was sol... 04/29/2008

One of the most recognizable homes in Mount Dora, Florida is the John P. Donnelly House.This home was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places on April 4, 1975.John P. Donnelly, a native of Pittsburgh, PA moved to Mount Dora in 1879. He married Annie McDonald Stone in 1881.He built the Queen Anne Style home in 1893.John P. Donnelly was one of the founders of the local yacht club and served as Mount Dora's first mayor in 1910.In 1924 he sold the land for the park named for his wife who had died in 1908.John P. Donnelly died in 1930. The home is now owned by Mount Dora Lodge no. 238 F. & A.M. 04/09/2008

The Time Has Come... Dust off the clubs, find your glove and get ready!                     Faith Lutheran School Parent Teacher League 5th Annual Golf Tournament is April 19, 2008This event is held at The Country Club of Mount Dora Mount Dora, FloridaThe Parent Teacher League of Faith Lutheran School, Eustis, Florida is working hard to make this year's event a tremendous success for the participants, sponsors and school. The funds raised by this year's tournament will be used for much needed playground equipment.The tournament is a four man scramble with shotgun start. The cost per player is $60 which includes greens fees, cart, awards luncheon and beverage service. There are awards for the top three teams, closest to the pin, longest drive and a special $20,000 hole-in-one prize.Shotg... 03/21/2008

The City of Mount Dora recently passed an ordinance requiring all owners of rental property to obtain "Rental Licenses".  This new license requires the property owner to have city inspections once every 3 years and every time a new tenant moves in.  It also requires the property owner to pay annual licensing fees. You can read more on this on the City of Mount Dora's website and in the Orlando Sentinel.         The intent of this ordinance besides to generate more revenue to the city is to keep slumlords in line.  I do not know if an ordinance like this will do that though.  The problem is not just with the slumlords, but also with the tenants that they rent to.  Even nasty people have to live somewhere.  It does not take into consideration that some landlords do a fine job of maintaini... 02/25/2008

It has been brought to my attention that the City of Mt. Dora (a Lake County Florida city) has a rental inspection ordinance. This ordinance is ridiculous and will just make the property owner spend more. As if the extremely high property taxes weren't enough... What is the Rental Inspection Ordinance? --requires rental properties located in the city of Mt.Dora to pay an annual license fee of $30.00---requires an inspection fee of $75.00Notice I didn't say that is was an annual inspection fee. That's because the inspection is performed every time there is a change in renter, if a renter requests an inspection, a renter has a complaint or just if an inspector decides the property needs to be inspected. This could result in a couple hundred dollars per year for rental owners.  This looks ... 02/20/2008

  How much is your time worth...Is sitting on the phone on hold, or burning up the fax lines to some lender who cna't find your faxes worth the effort..I have my doubts some days...As we acquire more and more short sale listings, it becomes more apparent that we will have to improve on our communication skills with the lenders.We need a hot-line after the tenth call to get the same person back. We need a way to charge the lenders for dropping our calls as they transfer us to India. For those of us doin short sales, I am here to tell you that having less than 20-30 listings is very similar to having tons of overpriced listings. You have a very high percentage of working your butt off and not selling a thing.I am seeing some surprising issues though...We are tracking over a hundred good e... 02/11/2008