What I did this weekend: Bella Collina - http://wp.me/p146tm-7t

This weekend, my wife’s sister was married at a golf community 30 minutes west of Orlando. I had heard about the

gorgeous landscapes, great golf course, and rolling hills,

but had never ventured there myself. The community of Bella Collina broke ground during the “boom” years and halted construction soon after. Rumor has it that the lots sold out in a matter of hours, but to this day there are only a handful of homes that ever broke ground.

 

DRIVING THROUGH THE GUARDED GATE AND GOING DOWN THE BRICK PAVED STREETS IT IS APPARENT THAT ONE DAY IT WILL BE A THRIVING COMMUNITY.

THE CLUB HOUSE IS MORE LIKE A TOWN CENTER

MODELED AFTER A OLD

ITALIAN CITY WITH STONE-WALLS

AND BELLTOWERS WITH A

MEDITERRANEAN INFLUENCE.

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Owning a Home: the Monthly Tally

It’s hard enough reconciling yourself to the reality of paying the monthly principal and interest on a new home mortgage. When you realize all the expenses that will be added to that price tag, it can be a real shocker.Bottom line: prepare yourself. Home ownership costs are bearable — people pay them every day — as long as you know what’s coming. You may even want to scale back the size of the home you’re looking for in order to bring the whole package in line with your budget.

 

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1oth Annual Park Avenue Pet Costume Contest!!!!!

In a paralyzed state of terror, she grabbed hold of her heart as it pounded in her chest. Shaking, she listened to the heavy thump-drag, thumb-drag as they came closer….and closer. She took a deep breath and peeked around the corner. There, standing before her, were hundreds of them. Each creature scarier than the next, they moved along in a parade of hilarity and fright…but mostly hilarity. There was no turning back, she had arrived at the best darn dog-o-ween party this side of the Mississippi.

 

2008 Pet Costume Contest photo:
Erica Matyas/Photohound.biz

Come out and face your fears this Sunday at the 10th Annual Park Avenue Pet Costume Contest, brought to us by The Doggie Door.

It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since the first devil horns grew on a dachshund in Winter Park. This event has grown into a plan-our-costume-a-month-ahead type deal. It’s so awesome, too much fun and most importantly, super competitive so you’d better be prepared to buh-ring it!

 

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Smart ways to come up with down-payment cash

Although cheaper prices and record-low mortgage rates have made homebuying increasingly attractive, tight lending standards continue to keep consumers on the sidelines. And while a beefed-up FICO score and documentation requirements may have slowed the process, it's the pile of cash needed to secure financing that prevents many would-be buyers from becoming homeowners.

"For first-time homebuyers, generally the biggest obstacle to buying a home is the ability to have a down payment," said Susan Dewey, executive director of the Virginia Housing Development Authority. Consumers struggling to come up with a sufficient down payment, however, may have more options than they realize, as government programs, existing assets and personal finance techniques can be used to obtain the capital.

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Top 10 Red Flags for Homebuyers

Sellers don't always disclose the whole truth to potential homebuyers, especially if they're eager to sell (or "motivated" in real estate lingo). But you can't afford to get a professional inspection of every house you tour. So before you spring for the pro, narrow down your choices by doing your own pre-inspection to spot potential problems.

 

 

Mass Exodus From the Neighborhood
Don't let a home's curb appeal keep you from glancing down the street. Are there several other homes for sale? Are nearby businesses boarded up or vandalized? Get the scoop from the neighbors. If everyone else wants to leave the street, maybe you should, too. Just do it before you're stuck with a bad investment.

 

Mediocre Maintenance
Three layers of roofing and gutters with plants growing in them are signs the owners aren't big on maintaining their home. What else did they neglect?

 

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October 2010 - Market Pulse http://wp.me/p146tm-5Z

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Local Pumpkin Patches!

Hagerty

Lockwood Blvd

Purchase all your fall decorations here and help support the Hagerty High School Boy’s Soccer Teams. They have pumpkins, gourds, spookies, indian corn, pumpkins, hay bales, face painting, and did we mention pumpkins.
The pumpkin patch is open daily after school and all day long on the weekends.

 

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