Artisan Park was developed by the St. Joe Corporation, with 616 homes and has their own Club – The Artisan Club that opened in Opened in 2005.

Artisan Park was developed by the St. Joe Corporation, with 616 homes and has their own Club – The Artisan Club that opened in Opened in 2005.  Artisan Park sits on 160 acres with a mixture of bungalows, cottages, townhouses and condos with a craftsman-inspired setting.  There are small parks and an outdoor amphitheater in Artisan Park.

• Resort-style pool
• Club Cafe’ for casual dining
• Billiard Room
• Fitness Center with state-of-the-art equipment, his and her locker rooms
• Bar and grill service
• Outdoor fireplace
• Social Gatherings for Artisan Park

For more information about living in Artisan Park or the unique community of Celebration, please call the Orlando Avenue Top Team at (407) 467-5155 or visit our website for helpful information.

Orlando Avenue Top Team

Today the featured How To Wiki on Google is How To Win at Monopoly.  Check it out, there are some great tips on how to win at Monopoly.  Did you know when you play Monopoly that:

• 7 is the most common roll – 2 and 12 are the least common
• it takes an average of 5 turns to go around the board
• Monopoly games can last over 4 hours

It is no secret that the Orlando Avenue Top Team has branded ourselves with the look and feel of the favorite board game Monopoly.  Our look was no mistake and it took a lot to get permission to create our logo and look.

If we would go to that level of detail for our own marketing, just think what we can do to market your property and get it sold!  Call us today to discuss your options!

Disney World Resort Special Events

Walt Disney World Resort is a wonderful place!   We all agree to that fact.  There is always something wonderful going on at the parks.  Here are some of the upcoming events at Walt Disney World:

• Epcot – Sounds Like Summer Series  June 11, 2007 – August 12, 2007
  • Three shows nightly at 5:45pm, 7:00pm and 8:00pm
  • Scheduled Cover bands performances:
    • June 11-17 – Ultimate Bon Jovi
    • June 18-24 – Bee Gees Tribute
    • June 25-July1 – Garth Brooks
    • July 2-8 – Aretha Franklin
    • July 9-17 – ABBA
    • July 18-24 – Eagles
    • July 25-29 – Billy Joel
    • July 30-August 5 – Elton John
    • August 6-12 – Chicago
  • Epcot –  International Food & Wine Festival September 28, 2007 – November 11, 2007
  • MGM Studios – Super Soap Weekend November 10, 2007 – November 11, 2007

ou have a fully executed contract, all is ready to go. Or is it?

You have a fully executed contract, all is ready to go.  Or is it?  Don’t forget that there are contingencies that may cancel the contract and you find yourself back at square one in the process. 

Understanding the contingencies in a contract up front is one way to be prepared.  Another is to eliminate them from the contract.   Some contracts contingencies that you might encounter in the sales process are:

• Contingent On the Sale of another Property – This means that they sale is dependent on the sale of another property. 
• Home Inspection – The buyer has the right to inspect the home and make a decision to not purchase if there is a significant defect.  (related to this could be lead, radon, mold, termite, well and septic systems.
• Mortgage Approval – If the buyer cannot be approved for a loan the deal can fall through.
• Survey – A survey verifies the property lines and if there are any encroachments on the property.
• Appraisal – Most common reason for contracts to fall apart because the Bank will not finance a home greater than the appraised value.  The buyer might have to bring money to the table to purchase.

Every contract is different, understanding contigencies will ensure that your stress level is managed.  Contingencies are just part of the contract.  Make sure you discuss the contingencies you put in your contracts and what they mean with a trusted Real Estate Professional or Attorney before agreeing to them.

Visit the Orlando Avenue Top Team website for additional helpful information.

Resources of Lake County

Lake County in Florida has an interesting piece of Florida history.  The first couple married in Lake County were Walt Disney’s parents who were married in Kismet on December 27, 1887.  There are 1,400 named lakes in Lake County and the county is rapidly growing.  

• Map of Lake County
• Mount Doral Historic Inn
• Olde Bicycle Inn
• Mission Inn Golf and Resort
• Lake Louise State Park
• News for Residents
• Lake County On-line Hurricane Plan
• Send Lake County e-postcards

Lakefront Lot in Groveland!

What Exactly Is Fair Housing?

As a licensed Realtor in the State of Florida we must adhere to strict rules regarding housing because of the Federal Fair Housing Act.  While we should all be aware of the protected classes (race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, handicap) under Fair Housing Law, some of the words on these lists can be surprising.

Terms that we are not allowed to use in our advertisements include:  active, adult community, couple, perfect for a family, empty nesters, preferred community, senior discount,  and traditional neighborhood. 

Terms that can set off questions include: 55 and older, 62 and older , close to, desirable neighborhood, exclusive, executive, handyman’s dream, ideal for, perfect for, private, safe neighborhood, secure, and tranquil setting.

• How are the schools?  Check Here for link to area schools and their information.
• Is this a safe neighborhood?  Crime Stats, Florida State Information
• What are the demographics of the neighborhood?  Demographics

Google is a great resource for you and a great place to do the research to answer these questions.  Hope that this helps explain some of the rules of the Federal Fair Housing act.  For more information Click Here >>>

Father’s Day is a few weeks away, but that is the good news.

Father’s Day is a few weeks away, but that is the good news.  You have time to obtain that gift for Dad that might just be a little different and excite your Dad.  Here are a few Father’s Day gift ideas for you favorite Dad:

• There is always the good old stand-by — Neckties, Fishing Poles, Golf Balls, and you can also just take him to Outback Steak House for dinner.
• How does the family Grill look?  If your Dad loves to grill — how about a new one?
• Boxer Shorts are always a different thing to give you dad.  And here are some pretty wild choices to give Dad!
• Beer of the Month — you have several options
  • Amazing Beer Club
  • Beer of the Month Club
  • World Beer Direct
• How good is Dad at directions?  Does he get lost often?  How about getting Dad a GPS?
• How about getting Dad a few cigars?
• Sports Illustrated – Give Dad a subscription for a year…
• Father’s Day E-cards
  • Father’s Day Cards
  • American Greetings
  • Blue Mountain Greetings
  • 123 Greetings

The Orlando Avenue Top Team hopes that one of these ideas might be of assistance to you finding the best gift for your Dad this year!  

And why you need it to help the sale of your Orlando Area Home…

Let’s face it, the market is a Buyers Market!  You need do do something dramatic to gain the buyers attention as there are so many options on the market right now. 

There is something we need to talk about.  Buyers are not able to visualize living in your home if it full of clutter and personal stuff.  Just as they can’t always envision how a vacant house will look with furnishings.

So what can you do?  Stage your home!  Ok we all have heard the term, but what does it mean?  How can it benefit you the Orlando Area Seller?  First off Staging your home is getting it ready for showing to potential buyers.   By Staging your home you will make a better presentation and put your best foot forward in this competitive Orlando Market.

You can hire a professional stager to come in and stage your home, and we would be happy to assist you in finding that professional.  Most homes just need a few things done and we can work through the list together to make your home more appealing to potential buyers.  Things like:

• Removing personal photographs, from walls
• Pretty bedding on beds
• Neutral paint colors
• Less is more! 

Rich Dad Poor Dad a great book for Dad or try the Cashflow games there is still time to find the best gift!

Robert Kiyosaki was blessed to have two fathers, a rich dad and a poor dad.  His birth dad, was a role model, educator and disciplinarian. The second, while not Robert’s birth father, also played a key role in Robert’s life. This “dad” was also a role model, educator and disciplinarian, but in addition, a mentor.

People at Keller Williams Real Estate are also very familiar with the 4 quadrants and raising the financial IQ of our family and friends especially when it comes to real estate.

So you might ask what does this all have to do with Father’s day well there is a great book called Rich Dad Poor Dad that would make a terrific present but if your budget allows the Cashflow 101 game is a real eye opener and fun for the entire family.  There is also Cashflow for Kids that would be fun to play with dad too if you have a younger children.

Last weekend I was in North Carolina visiting my sister and brought a copy of this game to leave.  We had a great time and as usual after playing this game I always hear comments like wow wish I had played this alot earlier in my life!

The book alone Rich Dad Poor Dad is enough to get you asking questions and if you really want to get going I  recommend the game Cashflow 101.  Once you get more advanced there is 202 and you can even play online.  You can also find these games on ebay.

Even if real estate is not your game this can be an exciting widening your eyes experience.   Robert has said the best reason is to see your money work for you not you work for money and what dad wouldn’t like to learn how to do that!