Altamonte Springs, FL

The Orlando FL December 2011 real estate stats have been provided by the Orlando Regional Realtor Association. Here is a direct link to the full MLS statistics details. Below is a summary breakdown of their numbers. This covers Orange and Seminole County Florida, including cities like Orlando, Winter Park, Maitland, Windermere, Apopka, Ocoee, Altamonte Springs, Longwood, Lake Mary, Winter Springs, and Sanford.

Inventory New Listings New Pendings Under Contract Closed Days on Market

Dec 2010 14,993 3444 3196 8363 2467 97

Sept 2011 9,931 3193 3304 9369 2243 102

Oct 2011 9,973 2997 3084 8937 2132 106

Nov 2011 10,136 3045 2887 8909 2027 99

Dec 2011 9,732 2641 2800 8095 2125 103

The year end inventory of homes for sale in metro Orlando plummeted to just 9,732 homes for sale. This is the lowest level we have had since mid-2006. As is typical of December and the holidays, new listings and new pendings were down from previous months of the year. Additionally a larger number of properties always expire at year end because December 31 is often the expiration date on many listing agreements and thus 609 listings expired at the end of December. But sales remain steady. We had almost as many sales last month as we did in October and February 2011 - that is great news.

Home prices appear to be on the rise. We have had 4 months in a row where the average home price went up. December ended the year with a median home price of $118,000 (up from $106,000 in December 2010) and an average home price of $172,500 (up from $146,600 in December 2010).

Here is an additional analysis put out by the Orlando Realtor Association for you to review as well. Prices seem to be going back up slow but steadily despite what the media might have you believe. I am actively buying investment property at the moment as well. Interest rates are extremely low, so do not wait for them to pass before they go back up. Florida is still on sale but who knows for how long.

Localism: The EditWorks, 447 W. SR 436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, 407-862-3113, editorlando.com

Localism: The EditWorks, 447 W. SR 436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, 407-862-3113, editorlando.com

I didn't know what to expect as I dropped by The EditWorks earlier today. Josh Loory is the owner/proprietor of the company, and he's a member of the BNI networking group that I'm in. From listening to his "Sales Manager Minutes" over the past month or so, I had some idea of what he did- and I was glad to finally learn more about his business.

DVD/CD duplication, video editing, video production...The EditWorks handles it all. He had several jobs going while I was in his shop- one group of equipment had an old movie being transferred to DVD, another grouping was transferring an old baseball game to DVD.

Magnetic tape doesn't age well. Truth be told, it's pretty pitiful. The owner of the '95 VHS tape will surely be glad to have that irreplaceable video preserved on a DVD that will last a lifetime.

Localism: The EditWorks, 447 W. SR 436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, 407-862-3113, editorlando.com

I'm looking forward to learning more about The EditWorks as time rolls along. Stop by and see Josh if you have any duplication or transfer needs- from what I've seen thus far, there's nothing he can't handle.

And volume? No worries there, either. The EditWorks can handle all of your duplication or transfer needs- whether it's 1 tape needing transferred or 1,000.

Prompt, professional service at great prices...The EditWorks has you covered.

Localism: The EditWorks, 447 W. SR 436, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, 407-862-3113, editorlando.com

Cranes Roost Park Altamonte Springs

Cranes Roost Park is Central Florida's premier outdoor event venue. There are daily, weekly, monthly and annual events open to the public. Cranes Roost Park Altamonte Springs is at the heart of Uptown Altamonte surrounding Cranes Roost Lake. Within the 45 acre park is a one mile walking route circling it. Around the lake you will find benches and covered seating areas. There is a European-style Plaza which includes a choreographed fountain show and a 62’ picturesque tower. There is the Eddie Rose Amphitheater with stadium-style seating and a one-of-a-kind floating stage. Many weekend events include live concerts, and onstage acts. On a Friday or Saturday evening within the fountain garden area, local residents gather for weddings and other outdoor receptions. Visitors will notice the cobblestone-style pathways, ionic columns, gathering areas with seating, themed lighting fixtures all ready for leisurely strolls, listening to music or just enjoying the beauty of the park. Cranes Roost Park Altamonte Springs is within walking distance to the Shopping Plaza of Uptown Altamonte which is a place to see and smell and touch and taste.

The Uptown Altamonte area provides many major restaurants and shopping outlet. Cranes Roost Altamonte and Uptown Altamonte offer:

*Subway *Cafe Muranos * Ross *Marshalls

*Five Guys *Denny's * Subway

*Red Brick Pizza *Cold Stone Creamery

*Planet Smoothie

On any given day at Cranes Roost Park Altamonte Springs, you will find a handful walkers, and joggers exercising to the sound of music piped throughout the park.

Cranes Roost Park has numerous Park Rangers and contractors who take pride in keeping the park meticulously well maintained with landscaping perfectly manicured. If you are ever in the Altamonte Springs area, make sure to take a trip to this beautiful location.

November 2011 is behind us and despite what the media says the Orlando real estate market is not slowing down. Inventory may be down to 2005 levels, but sales are strong. Check out some of these homes we sold last month.

Westpointe Hibiscus Crosswind

1. Westpointe Blvd, Orlando, FL 32835. This was a 2 bed/1 bath condo in Bermuda Dunes in the Metrowest area. Located on the golf course and minutes from Universal Studios and the attractions. Sold for $76,000 to a cash buyer.

2. Hibiscus Road, Casselberry, FL 32707. A 3 bed/1 bath handyman special house in the Queens Mirror area right off of Red Bug & 436. Inexpensive rental property that an investor snatched up for a mere $46,500. Remember we do property management too.

3. Jennifer Jean Drive, Orlando, FL 32818. 3/2/2 beautiful home in the Beacon Hill subdivision near Pine Hills. Remodeled with new kitchen and looking great. Sold to a first time FHA buyer for just $75,000.

4. Crosswind Circle, Orlando, FL 32825. 3/2/2 pool home in East Orlando. The Countrywalk subdivision is in a great location near the colleges and has community tennis courts. Sold for $129,900.

5. Honey Road, Apopka, FL 32712. 4/2/2 block home in Spring Harbor. Beautifully remodeled. This was actually a house that one of our investors bought wholesale and then fixed up for an end buyer to live in. They bought for $85,000 in the Spring and sold it last month for $131,000. Yes, house flipping is back with a vengeance.

6. North Street, Longwood, FL 32750. 4/3 house in the Sanlando Springs neighborhood. Sold to a new FHA buyer for $118,000.

7. Larry Drive, Deland, FL 32724. 4 bed/2 bath block home. Bank foreclosure that we wholesaled to a landlord. Great deal for a house this size. Sold for only $28,000.

This is a just a short sampling of the 25 closed deals we had last month. If you notice, only one of the above sales was a short sale or a bank owned home. There are plenty of regular old deals out there that people are selling retail. And the retail buyers are out there buying. Interest rates hover in the 3s still. More deals are headed for closing in December. We would love to help you buy or sell. Please contact us and we will get you started.

October 2011 is behind us and more great real estate deals sold here in Central Florida. Check out some of the awesome properties that sold last month in metro Orlando.

Briarcreek Woodridge Dean Cove

1. Polaris Loop, Casselberry, FL 32707. 2 bed/1 bath villa in Summit Village. One of our regular investor customers fixed this property up and then listed with us using a limited service listing. Sold to a cash buyer after only 3 days on the market for just over $43,000.

2. Briarcreek Dr, Apopka, FL 32703. 3/2/2 pool home in Piedmont Lake Estates. Another one of regular customers listed this property with us. 18 days on the market and sold to a first time home buyer on an FHA mortgage for $135,000.

3. Woodridge Ct, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. 3/2/2 in beautiful Country Creek. Remodeled to the nines. 5 days on the market - but what do you expect for Lake Brantley schools. Sold for full price $155,000.

4. Barnstable Place, Orlando, FL 32827. 3/2 home in the Villages of Southport near the Orlando International Airport. 7 days on the market and multiple offers - $73,000.

5. Bellavista Way, Orlando, FL 32825. 4 bed/2 bath home in East Orlando in the Islands subdivision. Sold for $85,000.

6. Dean Cove, Orlando, FL 32825. 3 bed/2 bath home in Dean Cove subdivision. This was a short sale with Wells Fargo. We got the deficiency waived for the borrower and they were ecstatic. Buyer got a nice vacation home for only $80,000.

7. Alatka Ct, Longwood, FL 32779. 7 bed/ 7 bath mansion in Alaqua Lakes. This was the former home of Actor Chris Tucker (Rush Hour movies). He had paid 1.5 Million for it nearly 10 years ago and done extensive remodeling. We sold it to a cash buyer for $1,050,000. Nice!

This is just a short sampling of the 28 properties that we closed during October. If we can help you buy or sell a great real estate deal in Central Florida, please contact me directly. And don't forget, we now do property managment.